LOVELY ANN
When I was young and in my prime to the seas I had to roam.
My parents together they did combine to part me from my own.
To Belfast Town I was sent down and without no more delay
On board the Union my passage paid bound for Americay.
'Twas on the 14th day of June from Belfast we did sail
And down the lough we bore straightway with a sweet and a pleasant gale.
I bade farewell to the Shamrock Shore likewise the banks of Bann
And to the girl I do adore, my charming lovely Ann.
Unto St. Andrews we were bound our coast now for to clear.
Along the shore away we bore thinking no danger near.
At 10 o'clock on the third night we received a dreadful shock
For our ship she struck with all her might against some unknown rock.
It's of our hard fate to lament just now I will begin.
In discontent some hours we spent lying southeast off Rathlin
When overboard our stores we threw and our cargo to the waves
And numbers to the shrouds withdrew our precious lives to save.
The raging sea ran mountains high and dismal were the skies.
Neither light nor land did we espy and fearful were our cries,
It's there we lay till the break of day describe our state who can
And to myself these words did say, "Adieu, sweet lovely Ann."
When we received first glimpse of light our boats we did employ.
Towards the shore away we bore and our hearts they did leap with joy,
And Providence proved kind to us his name I do adore.
There was not one soul left on board, we all got safe to shore.
I'll bid farewell to Americay and the rocks of Rathlin.
No more from my land I'll stray to cross the raging main.
I'll go and see my bonny lass down by the River Bann
And all my days with her I'll pass. She's my charming lovely Ann.
Source: Text - an original broadside without imprint found in the archives of the Central Library in Birmingham, England; Melody - "Gleanntain Ghlas Gheoth Dobhair" ("The Green Glens of Gweedore"), first heard from Paul Brady in New York in 1973. Book: Dan Milner (author-compiler) and Paul Kaplan (musical transcriptions), "Songs of England, Ireland & Scotland, A Bonnie Bunch of Roses," Oak Publications, 1983. Recording: Dan Milner et al, Irish Ballads & Songs of the Sea, Folk-Legacy CD-124, 1989. Posted: DM 1/99.
sj