Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows

Fair is the lily of the valley

Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne

But my love is fairer than any.



Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass

Come over the hills to your darling

You choose the rose, love, and I'll make the vow

And I'll be your true love forever.



'Twas down by Killarney's green woods that we strayed

When the moon and the stars they were shining

The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair

And she swore she'd be my love forever.

Chorus:



It's not for the parting that my sister pains

It's not for the grief of my mother

'Tis all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass

That my heart is breaking forever.

Chorus:





Over the mountains and down in the glen

To a little thatched cot in the valley

where the thrush and the linnet sing their ditty and their song

And my love's leaning over the half-door



Chorus:

Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows

Fair is the lily of the valley

Clear are the waters that flow in yonder stream

But my love is fairer than any



Down by the seashore on a cool summer's eve

With the moon rising over the heather

The moon it shown fair on her head of golden hair

And she vowed she'd be my love forever



It is not for the loss of my own sister Kate

It is not for the loss of my mother

It is all for the loss of my bonnie blue-eyed lass

That I'm leaving my homeland forever