"ANNIE'S PROMISE"

Here's a song of Anne Cleary and William O'Neil
A song of the ocean of the power it yields
A song of young lovers of love lost to the sea
A song of the promise young Annie beleived.

Now young Annie Cleary lived down on the strand
And many a sailor had asked for her hand
But Annie's mother denied them saying Annie please see
The love of a sailor is his love of the sea.

Young William O'Neil was a sailor by trade
And one fine morning to the strand he came
And he met Annie Cleary as she strolled on the pier
He knew he must have her so he promised her there.

Chours
If you'll mary me Annie if you'll be my bride
If you'll mary me Annie I'll stay by your side
I promise I'll love you I'll stay on the strand
I promise you Annie if you'll give me your hand.

If I married you William if I gave you my hand
If I married you William denying mother's command
Would you swear to me William this promise you'll keep
That I'll never lose you to that briny sea.

And so a wedding oh a wedding so grand
And so a wedding denying mother's command
As the mother cries Annie I pray the cruel cruel sea
Won't take your William like your Father from me.

When a year had past since Annie's promise was made
Half as long since William has been lost to the trade
And the mother holds Annie as young Annie she weeps
For her broken promise her love lost to the sea.

Chours

Young Annie O'Neil lives down on the strand
She has a young daughter she takes by the hand
Annie shows her the ocean warns of the power it holds
She warns her of sailors and of their promises bold

Jim Hanlon SOCAN/90