The Flower of Maidens Brown

To the county of Leitrim — if you would come over!
O Flower of Maidens Brown!
I'd bring you sweet meud and honey of the clover,
O Flower of Maidens Brown!

Beneath the green boughs, along the sunny shore,
You'd see the ships sail and watch the dipping oar,
And sadness or grief you never should know more,
O Flower of Maidens Brown!

"I will not flee with you, in vain your imploring,"
Saith Flower of Maidens Brown.
"A banquet of praises would leave me deploring,"
Saith Flower of Maidens Brown!

"A thousand times better live without a love,
Than walking the dew, in valley or in grove,
The pulse of my heart for you did never move,"
Saith Flower of Maidens Brown!

I saw her — she came across the mountain heather,
As a star through mist shines down,
I told her my love, and we roved on together,
Till the green milking field we found;

Then, seated awhile, where blossomed boughs grew,
I plighted my pledge that she should never rue,
All dangers I'd bear and ever would prove true
To Flower of Maidens Brown!

'Tis my grief, 'tis my ruin — she will not come hither,
The Flower of Maidens Brown!
The spouse of my heart to be, for aye together
With Flower of Maidens Brown!

From mankind afar, in a glen out of sight,
All happy, all joyful, by day and by night, —
O God! what a fate if I win not my delight,
The Flower of Maidens Brown!