Craigie Hill Traditional, arr. Susan McKeown It was in the spring and the small birds they were singing Down by a shady arbour I carelessly did stray Where the thrushes they were warbling the violets were charming To view two lovers talking a while I did delay She said "My dear, don't leave me all for another season Though fortune may be pleasing I'll go along with you I'll give up friends and relations and quit this Irish nation And to the bonny Bann banks forever I'll bid adieu." He said, "My dear, don't grieve me nor yet annoy my patience For you know I love you dearly although I'm going away I'm going to some foreign nation to purchase a plantation To comfort us hereafter all in America The landlords and their agents, their bailiffs and their beagles The land of our forefathers we were forced to give o'er And now we're sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion And we're parting with our sweethearts, it's them we do adore If ever you were lying and thinking of dying One sight of the bonny Bann banks, and your sorrow you'd give o'er And if you were but one hour, all in her shady bower Pleasure would surround you, you'd think on death no more So fare thee well sweet Craigie Hill, where often I have roved in I never though in my childhood that I'd part with you no more But now we're sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion And the bonny boat is sailing way down by Doorin Shore