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The Bonny Irish Boy

[ Roud 565 ; Laws P26 ; Ballad Index LP26 ; trad.]

Shirley Collins sang The Bonny Irish Boy in 1959 on her first LP Sweet England. The album notes comment:

One of the many songs showing the recent influence of the Irish on Southern England. Shirley Collins says the learnt in from an Irish bus conductor. The words are from Kidson's Traditional Tunes and the tune is traditional.

Gay Woods sang Bonny Irish Boy in 1998 on Steeleye Span's album Horkstow Grange.

Lyrics

Shirley Collins sings The Bonny Irish Boy

When first that I was courted by a bonny Irish boy
He called me his jewel, his heart's delight and joy.
It was in Dublin City, that place of note and fame,
When first my bonny Irish boy a-courting to me came.

His cheeks like the roses, his hair it is light brown,
His locks in ringlets shining o'er his shoulders all hung down;
His teeth were white like ivory, his eyes as black as sloes,
He breaks the hearts of all the girls wherever that he goes.

Long time I kept his company in hopes to be his bride,
But now he's gone and left me for to cross the raging tide.
I'm afraid some other fair girl my true love will enjoy
And leave me here lamenting for my bonny Irish boy.

Gay Woods sings Bonny Irish Boy

As I roved out one morning all in the blooming spring
I overheard a damsel most grievously sing,
Saying, cruel were my parents who did me sore annoy,
They would not let me tarry with my bonny Irish boy.

His hair is like the chestnut brown, his eyes as 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.

If I had all the riches now that great men have in store,
'Tis freely I'd bestow them on the man that I adore;
His beauty so entangled me I never can deny.
In the arms of my labouring boy I mean to live and die.