O'Reilly from the County Leitrim
The Phoenix of Erin's Green Isle

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Melody -
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When first I came into this counterie
It was to view the sweet flowers gay,
I then fell courting a pretty fair maid,
She appeared to me like the Queen of May.
I asked her kindly would she marry
Or would she choose to be a sailor's wife,
Oh, no, kind sir, I would rather tarry
And I would choose a sweet single life.

2. Oh fairest creature, the pride of nature
Why do you differ from all female kind,
For you are youthful and fair and handsome,
For to marry you I am much inclined.
Now kind sir since I must tell you,
I am promised these five years and more,
To one O'Reilly from the County Leitrim,
Which often grieves my poor heart full sore.

3. I wish I had you in Phoenix Island,
One hundred miles from your native home,
Or in some valley where none could find you,
You might incline then to be my own;
For there I would caress my jewel,
If along with me you'd consent to go,
I'll sail you over to Pennsylvania,
And bid adieu to Reilly forevermore.

4. You have not me in Phoenix Island,
One hundred miles from my native home,
Or in a valley where none can find me,
So I'll not incline then to be your own,
Therefore don't tease me nor yet dispraise me
But along with you I'm not inclined to go,
So do sail over to where you came from,
For I'll wait for Reilly forevermore.

5. You are like the swan that sails on the ocean
And making motions with both its wings,
Your snowy breast would be a potion,
For any Lord or an Irish King,
For you are youthful, fair and handsome
You are fitting to be a Queen,
I wish I was in battle wounded,
Before your beautiful face I'd seen.

6. In the morning when I cannot see you,
My heart lies bleeding for you all day,
For in the evening I can't come near you
For them that's bound they must obey.
Youth and folly makes young men marry
And here no longer can I stay,
What can't be cured must be endured,
So farewell darling I must away.

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