Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Key: G Difficulty: Intermediate The High Kings “Star of the County Down” Verse 1: Em G D Near Banbridge town, in the County Down Em C D One evening last July Em G D Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín Em D Em And she smiled as she passed me by G D She looked so neat in her two bare feet Em C D To the sheen of her nut-brown hair Em G D Such a coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself Em D Em To make sure I was standing there
Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Verse 2: Em G D As she onward sped I shook me head Em C D And I gazed with a feeling queer Em G D And I said, says I, to a passerby Em D Em "Who's your one with the nut-brown hair?" G D He smiled at me, and with pride says he: Em C D "She's the gem of old Ireland's crown Em G D Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann Em D Em And the star of the County Down" Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Verse 3: Em G D She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly Em C D And a smile like the rose in June Em G D And you held each note in her auburn throat Em D Em As she lilted lamenting tunes G D At the pattern dance you'd be in a trance Em C D As she skipped through a jig or a reel Em G D When her eyes, she'd roll, as she'd lift your soul Em D Em And your heart, she would likely steal Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Verse 4: Em G D At the harvest fair she'll be surely there Em C D And I'll dress my Sunday clothes Em G D With my hat cocked right and my shoes shone bright Em D Em For a smile from the nut-brown Rose G D No horse I'll yoke, or pipe I smoke Em C D 'Til the rust in my plough turn brown Em G D And a smiling bride by my own fireside Em D Em Sits the star of the County Down Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Interlude: G D Em C D Em G D Em D Em Verse 5: Em G D She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly Em C D And a smile like the rose in June Em G D And you held each note in her auburn throat Em D Em As she lilted lamenting tunes G D At the pattern dance you'd be in a trance Em C D As she skipped through a jig or a reel Em G D When her eyes, she'd roll, as she'd lift your soul Em D Em And your heart, she would likely steal Interlude: Em G D Em C D Em G D Em D Em G D Em C D Em G D Em D Em Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Verse 6: Em G D Near Banbridge town, in the County Down Em C D One evening last July Em G D Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín Em D Em And she smiled as she passed me by G D She looked so neat in her two bare feet Em C D To the sheen of her nut-brown hair Em G D Such a coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself Em D Em To make sure I was standing there Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down Chorus: G D From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay Em C D From Galway to Dublin town Em G D No maid I've seen like the fair cailín Em D Em That I met in the County Down