From the Bodleian Library broadside collection, Harding B 28(158). Harding B 28(154) seems to be nearly identical, but is partly illegible.


SHAMROCK SHORE

Come all you fair maidens draw nigh,
Draw nigh that fear soldiers to wed,
And by my example take warning,
And banish them out of your head.
For I was light-hearted and happy,
But now all my pleasures are o'er,
Since my soldier he is gone and left me,
Far, far, from the Shamrock shore.

My father's snug neat little cottage,
Was plac'd on the banks of the Dee,
And as blythe as a lark every morning,
Contented I rose up to spin.
When my soldier he enter'd my dwelling,
Such transports I ne'er knew before,
But, alas! he has left me bewailing,
Alone on the Shamrock Shore.

In Lifford the regiment was quarter'd,
To which my bonny brave soldier belong'd,
And through some small dispute with a serjeant,
My bonny brave soldier was wrong'd.
My love was tied up to the halberts,
His back with the lashes was torn,
And that was the cause of him going
Far, far from the Shamrock shore.

My love has volunteer'd and has left me.
To my soldier I'll always prove true;
How can I forget the sad moment,
When parting he bid me adieu.
I'll press my sweet child in my arms,
Until I behold him once more,
Safe back from the cannon's loud rattle,
And safe home on the Shamrock Shore.

Adieu to the banks of fine water,
Adieu to my parents and all,
Since the father has own'd his own daughter,
Unto some distant village I'll go.
I'll take my sweet child in my arms,
And I will go see him once more.
He's safe home from the cannon's loud rattle,
Safe home on the Shamrock shore.