from Len Wallace
lwallace@mnsi.net

SNOWY-BREASTED PEARL

There's a colleen fair as May
For a year and for a day,
I have sought with every way
Her heart to gain.

There's no art of tongue or eye
Fond youths with maidens try
Nut I've tried with ceaseless sigh,
Yet tried in vain.

If to France or far off Spain
She'd cross the watery Main
To see her face again
The seas I'd brave

And if 'tis heaven's decree
That mine she way not be
May the Son of Mary me
in mercy save.

Of, thou blooming milk white dove
To whom I've given true love
Do not ever thus reprove
my constancy.

There are maidens woud be mine
With wealth in land and kine
If my heart would but incline
To turn from thee.

But a kiss and welcome bland
And touch of thy fair hand
Is all that I demand
Would'st thou not spurn.

For if not mine, dear girl
Oh, sonwy-breasted pearl,
May I never from the fair
with life return.

Words written by George Petrie