THE MAID OF BUNCLOUDY, AND THE LAD SHE LOVES SO DEAR
(Traditional)

Oh were I at the moss house, Where the birds do increase
At the foot of Mount Leinster Or some silent place
By the streams of Bunclody Where all pleasures do meet,
And all I would ask is One kiss from you, sweet.

Oh the streams of Bunclody they flow down so free,
By the streams of Bunclody I'm longing to be,
A-drinking strong liquor in the height of my cheer,
Here's a health to Bunclody and the lass I love dear.

The cuckoo is a pretty bird, it sings as it flies,
It brings us good tidings, and tells us no lies
It sucks the young birds’ eggs to make its voice clear,
And the more it cries cuckoo the summer draws near.

If I was a clerk and could write a good hand,
I would write to my true-love that she might understand,
For I am a young fellow who is wounded in love
Once I lived in Bunclody, but now must remove.

If I was lark and had wings I could fly
I would go to yon arbour where my love she does lie,
I'd proceed to yon arbour where my true love does lie,
And on her fond bosom contented I would die.

'Tis why my love slights me, as you may understand,
That she has a freehold and I have no land,
She has great store of riches, and a large sum of gold,
And everything fitting a house to uphold.

So fare you well father and my mother, adieu
My sister and brother farewell unto you,
I am bound tor America my fortune to try,
When I think on Bunclody I'm ready to die.




Source: The Complete Irish Street Ballads, by Colm O Lochlainn, page 150-151 (Pan Books, 1984 - Original edition published 1939)