As I roved out one morning,
All in the blooming Spring
I overheard a damsel fair
Most grievously did sing,
Saying "Cruel were my parents
Who did sore annoy
They would not let me tarry
With my bonny Irish boy.
2. His cheeks are like the roses red,
His eyes are black as sloes,
He is meek in his behaviour
Wherever that he goes.
He is well sized both neat and wise
Like a maiden's chastity,
If I had my will I would be still
In my love's company.
3. Says the mother to her daughter
Why do you stoop so low,
To marry a poor labouring boy,
Around the world to go?
Some noble lord might fancy you
Great riches to enjoy,
So do not throw yourself away,
On a poor labouring boy.
| 4. Says the daughter to the mother
Your talk is all in vain,
For knights, and lords, and dukes, and earls
Their efforts I disdain
I'd sooner live a humble life
Where time I would employ,
Still waiting happy prospects
With my bonny labouring boy.
5. If I had all the riches now
Which great men have in store,
'Tis freely I'd bestow them all
On the lad that I adore;
His beauty so entangled me,
The same I'll ne'er deny,
In the arms of my labouring boy
I mean to live and die.
6. We'll fill our glasses to the brim,
And let the toast go round,
Here's health to every labouring boy
That ploughs and sows the ground,
Who, when his work is over
It is home he'll go with joy,
And happy is the girl that weds
The bonny labouring boy.
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