Lyrics

As I roved out one fine summer’s morning
When birds sweetly tuned on each tree
I heard a fair maid sing melodious
As she sat a milking her cow
Her voice it was chanting melodious
That left me scarce able to go
For my heart it is soothed in solace
By this cailin deas cruite na mbo

With courtesy I did salute her
Good morrow most amiable maid
I’m your captive and slave for the future
Kind sir do not banter she said
For I’m not a precious rare jewel
That I should enamour you so
I am but a plain country girl
Said this cailin deas cruite na mbo

The Indies afford no such jewels
So precious and transparently fair
Oh do not to my flame add fuel
But consent for to love me my dear
Take pity and grant my desire
And leave me no longer in woe
Oh love me or else I’ll expire
Sweet cailin deas cruite na mbo

I beg you withdraw and don’t tease me
I cannot consent unto thee
I like to live single and airy
Till more of the world I do see
Oh had I the lamp of Aladdin
Or had I his genie also
I’d rather live poor on a mountain
With my cailin deas cruite na mbo

An old maid is like an old almanac
Quite useless when once out of date
If her ware is not sold in the morning
At noon it must fall to low rate
The fragrance of May is soon over
The rose loses its beauty you know
All bloom is consumed in October
Sweet cailin deas cruite na mbo

A young maid is like a ship sailing
There’s no knowing how long she may steer
For with every blast she’s in danger
Oh consent love and banish all care
For riches I care not a farthing
Your affection I want and no more
In comfort I’d wish to enjoy you
My cailin deas cruite na mbo