The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #33361 Message #3248979
Posted By: GUEST,J.Kennedy. County Antrim.
02-Nov-11 - 05:52 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Bonny Woodhall/Bonny Wood Green
Subject: Lyr Add: BONNY WOOD GREEN
Wood Green is an area in County Antrim. In the version that I have been using for about 50 years it is very much a version of the song based on that geographical area. (Most people here know of Wood Green only because it is a railway line that runs near the international airport at Aldergrove) It is synonymous with the origin of another well known traditional song called 'Kellswater' referring to the little river that runs through the beautiful village of Kells, then into the River Braid and eventually into the River Bann and to the sea. By a strange co-incidence as a young student I had a vacation job which took me frequently to John Rosses to collect linen yarn for the factory in which I worked.
Here are the words I use when performing the song.
Down among the green bushes in bonny Wood Green
Where me and my true love we oft times were seen
Ah, the years they rolled by and so happy were we
For twas little she knew that a soldier I'd be
It was early one morning and the lambs they did play
I went to Kells barracks and then made my way
To enlist as a soldier and to fight for the King
To uphold a good cause I left bonny Wood Green
Oh, bonny Wood Green, bonny Wood Green
To uphold a good cause I left bonny Wood Green
And soon we were ordered away o'er the foam
For soldiers were needed for to fight for their home
I kissed my love Nell, she appeared like the Queen
And softly she whispered, "Remember Wood Green"
Remember Wood Green, remember Wood Green
And softly she whispered, "Remember Wood Green"
It was way out in Flanders at the back of the line
We were talking of sweethearts that we'd left behind
Said one Irish soldier, "Well, I've got a queen"
And she works in John Rosses in bonny Wood Green
In bonny Wood Green, in bonny Wood Green
And she works in John Rosses in bonny Wood Green
It was early next morning when the sun was still low
And the bullets were flying and he was laid low
He turned to his mates in a terrible scene
He said, "Kiss my love Nell and remember Wood Green"
Oh, remember Wood Green, remember Wood Green
Oh, kiss my love Nell and remember Wood Green
So if ever to Ulster you happen to stray
There's a neat litte factory near Ballynafeigh
Where the weavers and the winders are faint to be seen
For they all wear white aprons round bonny Wood Green
Round bonny Wood Green, round bonny Wood Green
For they all wear white aprons round bonny Wood Green