Well it's don't you know the reason, love, this night that I am here?
It is in order to obtain the love of you, my dear.

Your sweet celestial charms they have wounded quite my brain.
Your skin's far whiter than the swan swims o'er yon purling stream.

You are tall, genteel and handsome. You are modest mild and free,
And as the lodestone varies, you draw the heart from me.

The reason my love slights me is because that I am poor,
But I have what's allowed for me and I can ask no more.

She thinks she's come of noble birth, me of a mean degree,
But I am come of Adam's race, my dear, as well as thee.

Don't place your mind on riches, love, nor no such worldly store.
Just think on Alexander and you will love me the more.

When he had conquered the whole world, he sat down and wept full sore
Because there was but one world and he could gain no more.

I will travel to Mount Horeb, where Noah's ark does stand.
From that unto Mount Albareen where Moses viewed the land.

I never will quit roving while I can wear a shoe,
But like a wounded lover, my dear, I will mourn for you.

Till this sorrowful lamentation, to her true love she gave ear.
She took him in her arms and embraced him as her dear.

So now they are got married. The truth I will unfold,
And her father has bestowed to them five hundred pounds in gold.

A night visit song sung by Eddie Butcher (born 1900 died 1980) and found in 'The Shamrock, Rose and Thistle' by Hugh Shields - Singing in North Derry - Blackstaff Press.

'...From it's melody and poetic style, as well as its distribution, it may be surmised Irish; the text suggests a date for the original around 1800 or not much later...'

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 13-May-02.