Bonny Kellswater

Here’s a health to you Bonny Kellswater

Where you get all the pleasure’s of life

Where you get all the fishing and fowling

And a bonny wee lass for your wife.

 

Oh it’s down where yon waters run muddy

I’m afraid they will never run clear

And it’s when I begin for to study

My mind is on him that’s not here.

 

For it’s this one and that one may court him

But if any one gets him but me

It’s early and late that I will curse them

For parting lovely Willy from me.

 

Oh a father he calls on his daughter

“Two choices I’ll give unto thee:

Would you rather see Willy’s ship a-sailing,

or see him hung like a dog on yonder tree.”

 

“Oh father, dear father, I love him.

I can no longer hide it from thee.

Through an acre of fire I would travel

Along with lovely Willy to be.”

 

But it’s woe to the heart that confines me

And keeps me from my true heart’s delight

Strong walls and cold irons they may bind me

And a stone for my pillow at night.

 

Oh yonder there’s a ship on the ocean,

And she does not know which way to steer

From the east to the west she’s a-roving,

She reminds me of the charms of my dear.

 

And it’s yonder my Willy will be coming.

He said he’d be here in the Spring.

And it’s down my yon green shades I’ll meet him

And among wild roses we’ll sing.

 

For a gold ring he placed on my finger,

Saying, “Love, bear thee this in your mind:

If ever I sail from old Ireland

You’ll mind I not leave you behind.”

 

Farewell to you Bonny Kellswater

Where you get all the pleasures of life

Where you get all the fishing and fowling

And a bonny wee lass for your wife.