Just transcribed it from the Bodleian broadside. Here it is:


The Kerry Courtship

One morn in October for sweet recreation
I met a fair maid and she bleaching her clothes;
I stood in amazement to gaze at this fair one
And asked her if she pleased would she come to Listowel
She smilingly said with the mildest behaviour
Desist and don't tease me, but leave me alone
My parents might blame me and you might deceive me
You seem like a schemer that's straight from Listowel.

Why, indeed I'm no schemer that wants to deceive you
But all my fond secrets to you I'll disclose
And besides I'll swear allegiance, to you I'd prove faithful
If I could embrace you I'd make you my own
By the high Hill of Hoth, by the hole in my coat
By the ships that go sailing through Stdadballymore*
The fairies of Leinster, the druids and witches
I'd make you my bride if you came to Listowel

Why you seem like a man that's given to raking
I cannot trust any man that I do not know
For they promise the world, deluding poor females,
and afterwards leave them in grief for to bemoan;
My fortune is low, and I fear you'd degrade me
You'd censure and tease me and show me the door
To be trudging about with a babe in my arms
If I was so vain as to go to Listowel

After all that I swear sure you can't be ungrateful
You cannot suspect that I'm telling a lie
For the Judge on his throne cannot ask but an oath
For to swing off a man or transport him for life**
So therefore be preparing without hesitation -
We're not the two first that went off on the road
And that fortune might favour the fruit of our labour
To live out our ease in the town of Listowel.

If you swore as much more I shall not be deluded
I highly suspect you were married before
For there is many a man who would think it no scruple
Defiling fair maids or despising their own
So I'll take my own time and I'll ne'er will go roving
My heart it is young and I ne'er will give o'er
My father will sanction my lawful contraction
And then I might live in the town of Listowel.

There is fifty pounds that I have got in my pocket
That I received last week of my own
For corn I sent down to sweet Ballylongford,
And more I have ready to send to the store.
If I had all the gold of King Saul or King David
Or the wealth of great Damer on you I'd bestow
To rifle your charms without much alarm
And dangle your babe in the town of Listowel.

If I was so vain as to come with you roving
I'm certain and sure that your temper you'd show
You'd surely forsake me for my misdemeanour
And I think I'll live single a year or two more;
But if you wish for to have me, you'll make me your consort
You'll go to the priest and he'll marry us both
And our parents on both sides shall give us some money
To set up a shop in the town of Listowel.

I jumped with great joy for to grant her proposal,
My heart was so glad when I heard her sweet notes
We went to the pastor, who joined us in wedlock,
and when we came back we had whiskey galore.
We spent the whole night in great joy and contentment,
With all our good neighbours and friends did resort,
And the toast they drank round them to me and my wife
Was to prosper and thrive in the town of Listowel.

* Stdadballymore - er - sic

** for life from FHR version, making the line scan; seems incomplete otherwise

Otherwise; might not be perfect; it's late & my eyes are blear.