From Folksongs of Britain and Ireland by Peter Kennedy (London: Oak Publications, 1975), page 304:


128. EASTER SNOW

1. At twilight in the morning, as I roved out upon the dew,
With my morning cloak around me, intending all my flocks to view,
I spied a lovely fair one. she was a charming beauty bright,
And I took her for Diana, or the evening star that rules the night.

2. I being so much surprised with her, it being the forenoon of the day,
To see so fair a creature coming o'er the bank to Sweet Lough Rea,
Her snow-white breast lay naked, and her cheeks they were a rosy red,
And my heart was captivated by the two black eyes rolled in her head.

3. As I approached this fair maid, said I: My joy and heart's delight,
My heart it is enamoured by your exceeding beauty bright.
To heal my lovesick passion, if you'll consent along with me to go,
I'll roll you in my morning cloak and bring you home to Easter Snow.

4. Said I: My lovely Peggy, sit you down awhile by me
And cast your eye around you. Some pastime you may see:
The gentle hares a-hunting, the fields are decorated so,
The valley sounds melodiously by the sporting plains of Easter Snow.

5. Said I: My lovely Peggy, sit you down awhile by me.
You'll see the fox a-hunted by the best nobilitie,
The gentlemen well mounted, and the huntsmen crying: Tally-Ho!
So gloriously we'll pursue the chase from Sweet Lough Rea to Easter Snow.

6. She says: Young man, excuse a simple maiden of the moor.
Forbear such splendid eloquence for one who is so poor.
My heart is not my own to give, nor can I it bestow.
'Tis pledged to one who lives and loves far from Easter Snow.


[Excerpt from Kennedy's notes, page 327:] Brigid Tunney, Belleek, County Fermanagh, N. Ireland, rec. P. Kennedy and S. O'Boyle, 1952: BBC 18527....

Easter Snow would appear to be a townland in Roscommon called Estersnowe, previously the Gaelic Iseart Nuadhain, which is the title given to the tune in the Petrie collection.