Lyrics and introductory note copied from the sheet music at the web site of The Sligo Traditional Singers Circle:

I first heard this song sung by Garry McMahon at a Fleadh in Newcastle West back in the early '60s. At that stage, when good songs could only be obtained by diligent collecting, Garry had a large repertoire of fine and rare songs. THE LADY OF LOUGHREA was written by Padraig Fallon, a well-known poet of the 1940-'60 period. I believe it was inspired by the ideas and motifs of a Gaelic song, "Tá mo theach ar an ardán."

LADY OF LOUGHREA

1. My heart-strings make sweet music if I but think of you,
And if you should call me darling, I would wear a feathered shoe.
I would swim the Suir or Slaney, or the Shannon any day,
Just to talk with you, lovely lady, and to walk you round Loughrea.

2. If I owned all Portumna or the markets of Athlone,
Or the wharves and all the money that belong to Limerick town,
I would part them to your people, if you'd let me presume
Just to walk with you, lovely lady, and to be your Squire in Tuam.

3. Oh, rose-leaf maid, 'tis easy for to blame the wastrel now,
But who was ever able for to harrow with a plough?
Not reared was I for labour or to watch the seasons play,
But gambling, sport, and dancing, that lost me my own Loughrea.

4. In her grey house by the water, my love is dwelling still.
She is the moon's only daughter, oh, her lamp upon the hill.
She may braid her hair at evening, while those who go the way,
They may think it's the moon that's rising o'er the grey lake of Loughrea.

5. Last night, abroad in London, I spent my only crown.
I toasted my own one, and after, cried tears down.
I walked the lamps till morning and I heard your "hark away."
I wished I were the red fox that you hunted round Loughrea.

6. Oh! Lent will last till Easter, and after, summer comes;
But fasting or feasting, when the sloe-bush buds and blooms,
The queen of hearts is lonely, but the joker's still to play.
I will lead and I'll take her from you, O strong men of Loughrea.