The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #14799   Message #129177
Posted By: radriano
28-Oct-99 - 06:27 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Grey Lake of Loughrea
Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREY LAKE OF LOUGHREA
Here's another song from the Roscommon Singers Circle CD.
Some words are missing and I couldn't quite get some phrases. Any help would be appreciated.

The Grey Lake of Loughrea
Singer: Johnny Johnston
Source: "What Will We do?", South Roscommon Singers Circle, Vol. 1


My heartstrings make me music if I would think of you
And if you would call me darlin' sure I [would wear a feather too]
I would swim the [ ] and [Slaney] and the Shannon anyday
Just to talk with you, lovely lady, and to walk you round Loughrea

If I owned all [Portuna] and the markets of Athlone
All the walls and all the money that belonged to Limerick town
I would part them to your people, oh, if you'd let me presume
Just to walk with you, lovely lady, and to be your Squire in tune

[Oh, rose leaf may tis easy] [for to blend a waystral now]
Ah, but who was ever able for to harrow with a plow
Not reared was I for labor or to watch the seasons play
But gamblin', sport, and dancin' that lost me my own Loughrea

In her grey house by the water, my love is dwellin' still
She's the moon's only daughter, oh, alone upon the hill
She may braid her hair that evenin' [ ]
They may think it's the moon that's rising o'er the grey lake of Loughrea

Last night, abroad in London, I spent my only crown
I toasted my own one and after cried tears down
I walked the lambs till mornin' and I heard you hark away
I wish I was the red fox that you hunted round Loughrea

Oh, let me last till Easter and after summer comes
But fast and never feastin' when the snow bush bud's in bloom
The Queen of Heart's is lonely but the Joker's still to play
I will lead and take her from you, you strong men of Loughrea