The Black-bird/Sweet Jean of Tyrone

by Anonymous

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SWEET JEAN OF TYRONE.

   My father often told me
   He ne’er would controul me,
But make a Draper, if I staid at home;
   But I took a notion
   Of a higher promotion,
To try other parts than the County Tyrone.

   It was not in variance
   That I left my parents,
As little they knew the road I had gone;
   But I thank my instructor,
   And kindly conductor,
Who landed me safe from the County Tyrone.

   I travel'd to Newry,
   Where I fell a-courting,
A-courting a girl for a wife of my own;
   But when I came to her,
   She would not endure me,
She told me I was married in the County Tyrone.

   Then I staid a whole season
   At the Cotton-weaving,
Still thinking my true-love would alter her tone;
   But with quick apprehension
   She quickly made mention,
Where’s your character from the County Tyrone?

   For my character
   You need never mind it;
I never was marry’d, nor promis'd to none.
   Then she swore by her conscience
   She would run all chances,
And travel with me to the County Tyrone.

   Then early next morning,
   While the sun was adorning,
We travd'd from Killwight by the three mile stone;
   The guard they pursu’d us,
   But never could view us,
I wish’d from my heart I had my love in Tyrone.

   As we were a-walking,
   And lovingly talking,
We met an old man, was walking alone;
   He told them he met us,
   And where they would get us,
And that we were talking of the County Tyrone

   This eased their trouble,
   Their steps they did double,
And said, if they’d get me, they’d break all my bones;
   They said, if they’d get me,
   A prisoner they’d make me,
Transmit me to Onag, and hang me in Tyrone.

   There was a water nigh us,
   Where vessels were lying,
And all the whole story to them we made known;
   They threw a plank to us,
   And on board they drew us,
And told us their vessel was bound to Tyrone.

   Then my love lay a-dyihg,
   Lamenting and crying!
I offer’d her a cordial which I brought from home,
   But with quck apprehension
   She my present rejected,
I’ll be doing without it, till I come to Tyrone.

 When we arrived in our native country,
⟨I⟩ all the whole case to my father made known;
  Five hundred pounds he gave us,
  If that would not serve us,
He’d give us still more in the County Tyrone.

   These two live together,
   In joy and great pleasure,
if you want to see them you must go to Tyrone.
   My love’s name to finish,
   Is Miss Jeany Innes;
Myself bold M‘Ginnes, from the County Tyrone.

 

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