The tune to this song is quite old dating back to the early 1700s, and has been used in other songs as well. This song is about a man that becomes enamored with a maid named Rosie McCann in the County Down. County Down is in the north of Ireland, and Banbridge is located south of Belfast.
Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning in July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen*
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there.
Chorus
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
He smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown.
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the star of the County Down."Chorus
I've traveled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down.Chorus
At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.Chorus
*Boreen means a country lane or narrow road, and comes from the Gaelic word bóithrín. A colleen is a young, unwedded woman, originating from the Gaelic word cailín. I haven't been able to find a meaning of the word "deludhering", but from the phrase "I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies on the heart of the nut-brown rose" I'm guessing that the man in the song means to "make eyes" at her (looking at her invitingly) and speaking charming words to her to pique her interest. Is there anyone out there that can tell me if that is what this really means?