[Verse 1] As I went out walking one morning in June I spied a fair damsel in the sweet summer bloom Her cheeks they were rosy and her hair it fell down And she came from the Blackwater near sweet Portadown [Verse 2] I stood in amazement as the breezes did blow And the blood like a river through my veins did flow Well I thought her the fairest in all Ireland around That morning I met her near sweet Portadown [Verse 3] I says My wee lassie, I dont know your name? And quickly she answered Im afflicted the same Well I said Mines OConnor, born first [?] And she says, Mines ODriscoll from beside Portadown [Verse 4] I excused myself kindly, I said If you please We will both take a ramble by the Blackwater breeze Well she said You are kind sir, but I cant go today For Im in search of young lambs that have strayed away [Verse 5] I said Ill go with you, in search of your flock As the sun it did dazzle on her sweet amber locks Well we searched the whole day as the sun was going down And at length we located them near sweet Portadown [Verse 6] As we journeyed on homewards, we sat down for to rest As we watched the rock thrushes on the Blackwaters crest Well I told her I loved her, and would she be my bride? And we both would live happy by the Blackwaterside [Verse 7] She says, You are kind sir, but you must me excuse For I am a poor girl and you must be refused I work hard for my living, the whole year around And besides I would never leave sweet Portadown [Verse 8] I would never expect you leave the land of your birth For I think it the grandest and the fairest on earth But if youll consent for to be my fond bride We both would live happy by the Blackwaterside [Verse 9] We went to her parents, they considered awhile Her mother looked on me and said she with a smile If Flora consents, sure well consent too And married we were on the 18th of June [Verse 10] So come all ye young maidens, assemble tonight And marry your first love, even though at first sight Dont marry for riches or fame or renown For were living happy in sweet Portadown
portadown, blackwater, consent, sweet, blackwaterside