Play recording: My Bonny Irish Boy
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- Teideal (Title): My Bonny Irish Boy.
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 853916.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): 565.
- 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): 28/10/1980.
- 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.
This is a fellow who went away to America, and he went aboard ship, to sea, and his girlfriend was getting a bit worried about him, so she went looking for him. She went to America looking for him. He ended up in America, and she found him out. Although it’s a very big country, she found him out. She found him. So they say.
His name I love to mention, in Ireland he was born
I loved him very dearly, but alas, from me he’s gone.
He’s gone to Americay, he promised to send for me;
But the face of my bonny Irish boy I can no longer see.
I paid my passage for New York, and on arriving there
To look for signs of my Irish boy I quickly did prepare
I searched New York, and Providence, and Boston all in vain;
But the face of my bonny Irish boy was nowhere to be seen.
Last night I had a pleasant dream: I dreamt I was his bride
Seated by the bluebell hill, and he sat by my side
With a gathering of primroses, like the happy days of yore –
I awoke quite broken-hearted in the city of Baltimore.
Early the next morning a knock came to my door
I knew his knock! – I knew it was the lad I did adore.
I hurried up to let him in – I never felt such joy
As when I fell into the arms of my darling Irish boy.
Now that we are married, he never will go to sea
He knows that I love him dearly; I’m sure that he loves me.
We have a darling little son; he is my pride and joy
He’s the picture of his father, my darling Irish boy.