Hi,

This is a fairly early published version from Journal of the Irish Folk Song Society, London, Volume 2; by Irish Folk Song Society in 1904.

"I Know My Love" Helen Laird
Since contributing the little fragment I knew of this South Irish song (with the tune) in the last issue of the Journal (Vol. I., pp. 52~3), I have obtained two more verses from Donut None, of Ennis, Secretary of the local branch of the Gaelic League. He got the verses from somebody in Clare. Nono's father was a Belgian, an organist, and his mother a Clare woman. I now give the complete song. H- L

I know my love by his way of walking,
And I know my love by his way of talking,
And I know my love drest in a suit of blue;
And if my love leaves me what will I do?

Chorus: And still she cried, I love him the best,
And a-troubled mind, sure, can know no rest.
But still she cried, Bonnie boys are few.
And if my love loves me, what will I do?

If my love knew I could wash and wring,
And if my love knew I could weave and spin,
I could make a suit all of the finest kind.
But the want of money it l'aves me behind.

Chorus.

Alas, my love he's an errant rover.
And, sure, he'll travel the wide world over,
For in dear old Ireland he'll no longer tarry,
For an English damsel[1] he'll surely marry.

Chorus.

There is a dancehouse in Mar-(a)-dyke,
And 'tis there my dear love goes every night;
And he takes a strange one all on his knee,
And don't you think but it troubles me?

Chorus.

1. I have substituted " damsel " for a courser word [whore] which I got in the original; it is more usually sung as above.