Near to Banbridge Town, in the County Down
One morning in July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by

Oh, she looked so neat from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there

Oh, from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down

As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling quare
And I said, says I, to a passer-by
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"

Oh, he smiled at me, and with pride says he
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the Star of the County Down"

I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Down

At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown Rose

No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plough turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the Star of the County Down