For what it's worth, here'as the version I sing, which is largely similar to the version contributed by Snuffy, except for the last verse. I got it in about 1972 from my partner in The Wakes, Tom Brown (who is lurking around the Cafe somewhere under an alias). He got the song from the late Paddy Doody, but I don't know where Paddy got it.

THE LAKE OF COOLFIN

It was early one morning young Willy arose
And straightway to his comrade's bedchamber he goes,
Saying "arise me bold comrade, and let no-one know -
'Tis a fine summer's morning, and a-bathing we'll go".

To the Lake of Coolfin the companions soon came,
And the first that they met was the keeper of game;
"Oh,go back Willy Leonard, do not venture in
For there's deep and false water in the Lake of Coolfin!".

Young Willy plunged in and he swam the lake round,
Till he came to an island, 'twas soft marshy ground;
"Oh, go back me bold comrade, do not venture in,
For there's deep and false water in the Lake of Coolfin!".

It was early next morning his sister arose
And straightway to her mother's bedchamber she goes;
"Oh, I dreamed a sad dream about Willy last night;
He was dressed in a shroud - in a shroud of snow white".

And late in the morning, his mother came there;
She was ringing her hands, she was tearing her hair;
"Oh, woeful the hour young Willy plunged in
For there's deep and false water in the Lake of Coolfin!".

And I spied a fair maid standing fast by the shore;
Her face it was pale - she was weeping full sore;
In dewep anguish she gazed at where Will plunged in -
"Ah, there's deep and false water in the Lake of Coolfin!".


I think I've got one or two other versions in books, but the books aren't in the same house as the computer. If I find anything worth adding, I'll get back to you. J.K.