Lyrics

It was our ship the Mary Snow how proudly she did sail
Across the western ocean before a pleasant gale
From Virginia with tobacco and strong liquor loaded down
Her course set sail from Malin Head to Londonderry Town.

They hoved her too off Malin Head her sails they dare not fill
For they sorely need a pilot to the harbour of Moville
The captain makes a signal his wishes for to show
And soon a pilot comes aboard the gallant Mary Snow.

But in the midnight darkness I heard that pilot say
Fill your sails and steer your ship to Glenagivney Bay
For the pilot Barney Duffy how little they did know
Would wreck their ship and sell the loot from the gallant Mary Snow.

Upon the shore a light is seen a ship it seems to be
It rocks just as a ship would rock that sails upon the sea
But on a lame horse on the coast that pilot well did know
A light was placed for to deceive and wreck the Mary Snow.

Upon the rocks the ship is cast she’ll sail the seas no more
The captain and his gallant crew in vain they reach the shore
But it’s on the rocks they tried to climb for safety to the land
The Long Glen men with hatchets cut the fingers from their hands.

There was a man name Leepore from near Redcastle Strand
Who was returning home again to view his nature land
Ere little he thought that evenings light had turned to morning glow
He would be dead upon the rocks beside the Mary Snow.

Now all you bold sea-faring men a warning take this day
And never dare to sail your ship to Glenagivney Bay
For the Long Glen men still lie in wait I’ll have you all to know
With hatchets still they lie in wait as on the Mary Snow.

So when you come to Malin Head make neither stop nor sta,
But sail your ship to Quigley’s Point or Londonderry Quay
For the Long Glen men still lie in wait I’ll have you all to know
With hatchets still they lie in wait as on the Mary Snow.

see also   The Mary Snow / Michael McGonigle (James Eoghain)