The Mountains of Mourne

One of our traditional Irish songs, parred down a bit from the full song. The first four lines of the verses tend to be solo pieces with the whole choir joining in on the last four. Wait a minute...it's in English!

Oh Mary this London's a wonderful sight
With the people here working by day and by night.
They don't sow potatoes nor barley nor wheat,
But there's gangs of them digging for gold in the streets.
At least when I asked them that's what I was told,
So I just took a hand at this digging for gold.
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I believe that when writing a wish you expressed
As to how the young ladies of London were dressed.
Well, if you'll believe me, when asked to a ball,
Sure they don't wear top to their dresses at all.
Oh I've seen them myself and you could not in truth,
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath.
Don't be starting them fashions now, Mary 'mo chroí',
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course,
Well he's over here at the head of the Force.
I met him today; I was crossing the Strand,
And he stopped the whole street with one wave of his hand.
And as we stood talking of days that were gone,
The whole population of London looked on.
But for all his great powers he's wishful like me,
To be back where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea.

There's beautiful girls here; oh never you mind,
With beautiful shapes Nature never designed.
And lovely complexions; all roses and cream.
But O'Loughlin remarked with regards to the same,
That if at those roses you venture to sip,
The colour might all come away on your lip.
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waiting for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

The display of these songs on this site is only meant as a means for the Celtic Arts Center Choir to distribute songs to its members.
This is not intended for wider publication or larger distribution.
Updated on Tue, Apr 15, 2003
© 2003 TechnoCelt Productions in association with The Celtic Arts Center / An Claidheamh Soluis. All rights reserved.