The British Volunteers/Mally Bann

by Anonymous

MALLY BANN

Jamie Randal went a hunting,
a hunting in the dark.
But, to his great misfortune,
he did not miss his mark:

His love's apron being about her,
he took her for a swan.
But alas! and for ever alas!
it was sweet Mally Bann.

When he came up unto her,
and found that she was dead,
Great abundance of salt tears
for his darling he shed.

He went home to his father
with his gun in his hand,
Crying, Dear father, dear father,
I have shot Mally Bann.

His father looked upon him,
(his hair being grey)
Crying, Oh! my dearest son,
you must not run away:

Stay at home in your own country,
let your trial come on;
By the laws of sweet Ireland,
you shall never be undone.

Within two or three months after,
to her uncle she appear'd
Crying, Dear uncle, dear uncle,
let Jamie Randal go free:

For my apron being about me,
he took me for a swan:
But it is Oh! and ever alas!
it was sweet Mally Bann.

All the maidens in the country,
they are all very glad
That this beautitul, this lovely,
this fair one was dead.

She was the flow'r of all the nation,
the flower of Colrain:
The flower of all the nation
was sweet Mally Bann,

When the fair maids in the city,
were assembled in a row,
She appeared amongst them
like a mountain of snow.

The flower of all the nation,
the flower of Colrain,
The flower of all the nation
was sweet Mally Bann.