This song appears in the DT as "Banks of the Bann (Bawn)" and as "Brown Girl," version from Creighton. Kenneth Peacock reported a version in his "Outports" volumes, which is posted here by request (Peacock's set is rare).

Lyr. Add: BROWN GIRL (Peacock)

When first to this country I came as a stranger
I placed my affection on a maiden was young,
She was young and tender and her waist small and slender,
Kind nature had framed her, she proved my overthrow.

By the bank of ariver that's where I first met her,
She appeared like some goddessr some gracious queen,
Her eyes shone like diamonds, the stars they were shining,
You're the fairest in this wide world I ever have seen.

It was her old father that first caused disturbance
Because I was poor and below her degree,
I will do my endeavours my darling to gain you
Although you are born of a rich family.

My name it's Delaney, that's a name that won't shame me,
And if I'd saved I might stayed at home,
But drinking and sporting, night walking and courting
Is the cause of my ruin and my absence from home.

Cheer up lovely Johnny, don't be melancholy,
If you'll prove loyal sure I'll prove true,
There's no other superior that will ever gain my favour,
On the banks of the Bawn I will ramble with you.

Now I have gained her I'm contented forever,
I'll put rings on her fingers and gold drops in her ears,
And with all kinds of pearls I will deck that brown girl,
With all kinds of grandeur I will store her, my dear.

Sung by Wm. Holloway, King's Cove, Nfld. Printed with music, pp. 355-356, vol. 2, Kenneth Peacock, 1965, "Songs of the Newfoundland Outports."

The first verse reads like one of a number of immigrant ballads, and misled me until I read it all.