There's a colleen fair as May
For a year and for a day
I have sought by every way her heart to gain
There's no art of tongue or eye
Fond youths with maidens try
But I've tried with ceaseless sigh yet tried in vain

If to France or far off Spain
She crossed the wat'ry main
To see her face again the seas I'd brave
For if this is heaven's decree
That mine she may not be
May the Son of Mary me in mercy save

Oh thou bloomin milk-white dove
To whom I'm given true love
Do not ever thus reprove my constancy
There are maidens would be mine
With wealth and land on high
If my heart would but incline to turn from thee

But a kiss with welcome bland
And touch of thy fair hand
Are all that I demand would'st thou not spurn
But if not mine, dear girl
Oh, snowy breasted pearl
May I never from the fair with life return again
If to France or far off Spain
She crossed the wat'ry main
To see her face again the seas I'd brave
But if not mine, dear girl
Oh, snowy breasted pearl
May I never from the fair with life return