Play recording: Banks of the Lee, The
view / hide recording details [+/-]
- Teideal (Title): Banks of the Lee, The.
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 853909.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): 32374.
- Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
- Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
- Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
- Catagóir (Category): song.
- Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
- Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Lucy Simpson.
- Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 15/01/1980.
- Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
- Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): private.
- Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
- Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.
At the youthful age of twenty-one I left my dear old home
Like many a youth before me among strangers for to roam
Trying to make a living in a land across the sea
Three thousand miles from Ireland on the banks of the Lee
I’ll never forget the morning I left my dear old home
The sun it was shining brightly, the mountains they looked red
I kissed my aged parents, their grief was plain to see
But I left them far behind me on the banks of the Lee.
I also left my own true love, her name was Miss Maguire
It’s many’s the happy day I spent beside her father’s fire.
I promised her that I’ll return and married we would be
In my dear old home in Ireland on the banks of the Lee.
Through honest work and labour a rich man I have grown.
I mean to go back to Ireland, and never more to roam.
The big ship, she is sailing and soon I will be
In my dear old home in Ireland, on the banks of the Lee.
Now that I’m home in Ireland, I nevermore will roam.
I met with my friends and neighbours the night that I came o’er.
I also met my own true love, and married we will be
In my dear old home in Ireland on the banks of the Lee.