LORD DONEGAL
(Trad., from the singing of Rita and Sarah Keane of Caherlistrane, Co. Galway)

Lord Donegal he stood at his own hall door
Brushing his milk white steed
When he was addressed by his own queen Isabel
Who hastened to wish him God Speed.

Saying, "Where are you going, Lord Donegal?" she said
Saying, "Where are you going from me?"
"I am going to New England, my own Queen Isabel
Some other strange country to see."

"When will you return, Lord Donegal?" she said
"When will you return to me?"
"When a day and a year has all passed and gone
I'll return and get married to thee."

"That is too long, Lord Donegal" she said
"That is too long for me
For you might forget your own Queen Isabel
And pick up some other lady."

Well he had not been gone but a very short time
But a day and a half a year
When sorrow and sighing came in to his mind
In vain could he seek his own dear

And as he was returning all alone
Rushing his milk white steed
He heard the sound of a peaceful bell
And the ladies all mourning their being

Saying, "Who is this that is dead on today
And is going to be buried on tomorrow?"
"It's the king's only daughter," the ladies replied
"They called her Queen Elisabella."

Then he ordered the coffin right opened to be
And the shrouds to be turned down
And he fell a-kissing her cold, pale lips
As the tears came rolling down

Saying, "Now that I've kissed your cold pale lips
And you can never kiss mine
A vow and a promise I'll make unto thee
I'll never kiss any but thine."

Then one of them died as if on today
And the other as if on tomorrow
Queen Elisabella died out of true love
Lord Donegal he died out of sorrow

One was buried in Saint Mary's church
And the other in Mary's choir
Over Elisabel there grew a red rose
And over her lover a briar

They grew and they grew to the church steeple-top
Until they could grow no higher
Then they knotted together in a true-lover's-knot
For all the world to admire.

NMK 03/07