One evening for pleasure I rambled
On the banks of some cold, purling stream
I sat down on a bed of primroses
And I gently fell into a dream

I dreamt that I saw a fair female
Her equal I never saw before
And I sighed for the loss of our country
As I strayed there on Ireland's green shore

Her cheeks were like two bloomin' roses
Her teeth were like ivory, so white
Her eyes shown like two sparklin' diamonds
Or the stars on some cold, frosty night

She was dressed in the richest attire
And green was the mantle that she wore
All bound 'round with hemlock and roses
As I strayed there on Ireland's green shore

[Instrumental interlude]

I quickly addressed this fair female
"My jewel, come and tell me your name
For in this country I know you're a stranger
Or I would not have asked you the same"
"I'm a daughter of Daniel O'Connell
And from England I lately came o'er
I've come to awaken my brethren
That slumber on Ireland's green shore"