Star of the County Down

A song in the key of Em

Sheet music, mandolin tabs, banjo tabs, fiddle and accordion score for Star of the County Down
Words by Cathal McGarvey (1866-1927), Ramelton, County Donegal.
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Sheet Music for "Star of the County Down"Star of the County Downsong= 9040222025505020522040222025505020522022522050005020522040222025505020520225220500050205220402220255050205202Near Banbridge Town, in the County Downone morning last July,from a boreen green came a sweet colleen,and she smiled as she passed me by.She looked so neat from her two bare feetto the sheen of her nut-brown hair,Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myselffor to see I was really there.Chorus:From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay,and from Galway to Dublin town,no maid I've seen like the brown colleenthat I met in the County Down.As she onward sped sure I shook my headand I looked with a feeling rare,and I said, says I, to a passer-by,"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"He smiled at me, and he said, says he,"That's the gem of Ireland's crown,young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann,she's the Star of the County Down."ChorusShe'd a soft brown eye and a look so slyand a smile like the rose in JuneAnd you hung on each note from her lily-white throat,as she lilted an Irish tune.At the pattern dance you were held in tranceas she skipped through a jig or reelWhen her eyes she'd roll, she would lift your soulAnd your heart she would likely stealChorusI've travelled a bit, but I ne'er was hitsince my roving career began.But fair and square I surrendered thereTo the charms of young Rose McCann.I'd a heart to let and no tenant yetDid I meet with in shawl or gown,But in she went and I asked no rentFrom the Star of the County Down.ChorusAt the harvest fair she'll be surely thereand I'll dress in my Sunday clotheswith my hat cocked right, and my shoes shone bright,for a smile from my nut-brown Rose.No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoketill my plow it is rust coloured brown,till my smiling bride by my own firesidesits the Star of the County Down.ChorusTranscription: id:hn-song-26History:Words by Cathal McGarvey (1866-1927), Ramelton, County Donegal.
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Abc notation for Star of the County Down
X:2198 T:Star of the County Down R:song H:Words by Cathal McGarvey (1866-1927), Ramelton, County Donegal. Z:id:hn-song-26 M:2/4 L:1/16 Q:1/4=90 K:Em
(B,/D/) | EE ED/E/ | GG A(G/A/) | B(A/G/) EE | D3 B,/D/ | EE ED/E/ | GG AG/A/ | BA/G/ E(E/D/) | E3 || B | dB BA/G/ | AA AG/A/ | BA/G/ EE | D3 B,/D/ | EE ED/E/ | GG AG/A/ | BA/G/ ED | E3 || B | dB BA/G/ | AA AG/A/ | BA/G/ EE | D3 B,/D/ | EE ED/E/ | GG AG/A/ | BA/G/ ED | E3 || W:Near Banbridge Town, in the County Down W:one morning last July, W:from a boreen green came a sweet colleen, W:and she smiled as she passed me by. W:She looked so neat from her two bare feet W:to the sheen of her nut-brown hair, W:Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself W:for to see I was really there. W: W:Chorus: W:From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay, W:and from Galway to Dublin town, W:no maid I've seen like the brown colleen W:that I met in the County Down. W: W:As she onward sped sure I shook my head W:and I looked with a feeling rare, W:and I said, says I, to a passer-by, W:"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?" W:He smiled at me, and he said, says he, W:"That's the gem of Ireland's crown, W:young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann, W:she's the Star of the County Down." W: W:Chorus W: W:She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly W:and a smile like the rose in June W:And you hung on each note from her lily-white throat, W:as she lilted an Irish tune. W:At the pattern dance you were held in trance W:as she skipped through a jig or reel W:When her eyes she'd roll, she would lift your soul W:And your heart she would likely steal W: W:Chorus W: W:I've travelled a bit, but I ne'er was hit W:since my roving career began. W:But fair and square I surrendered there W:To the charms of young Rose McCann. W:I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet W:Did I meet with in shawl or gown, W:But in she went and I asked no rent W:From the Star of the County Down. W: W:Chorus W: W:At the harvest fair she'll be surely there W:and I'll dress in my Sunday clothes W:with my hat cocked right, and my shoes shone bright, W:for a smile from my nut-brown Rose. W:No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke W:till my plow it is rust coloured brown, W:till my smiling bride by my own fireside W:sits the Star of the County Down. W: W:Chorus
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