True lover's garland (1)/Shannon's flowery banks

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SHANNON's FLOWERY BANKS.

In summer when the leaves were green,
and blossoms deck'd each tree,
Young Sandy then declar'd his love,
his artless love to me.
On Shannon's flowery banks we sat,
and there be told his tale;
Oh, Mary, softest of thy sex,
O let fond love prevail!

Ah! well-a-day! you see me pine
in sorrow and despair,
Yet heed me not———then let me die,
and end my grief and care!
Ah no! dear youth I softly said;
such love demands my thanks:
And here I vow in lasting truth,
on Shannon s flow'ry banks.

And here we vow'd our lasting truth,
on Shannon's flow'ry banks ;
And then we gather'd sweetest flowers,
and play'd such artless pranks;
But woe's me! the press gang came,
and forc'd my love away
Just when we nam'd next morning fair
to be our wedding day!

Dear Sandy cry'd, They've forc'd me hence,
but still my heart is thine;
All peace be yours my Mary dear,
while war and toil be mine;
With riches I'll return to thee
I sobb'd out words of thanks;
And then he vow'd his constant love

on Shannon's flow'ry ⟨banks⟩.

And then he vow'd his constant love
on Shannon s flow'ry banks,
And then I saw him sail away
and join the hostile ranks
From morn to eve, for twelve dull months,
his absence sad I mourn'd:
The peace was made the ship came back,
but Sandy ne'er return'd.

His beauteous face, his manly form,
has won a nobler fair;
My Sandy's ⟨false⟩ and I forlorn,
must die in sad despair!
Ye gentle maidens see me laid,
while you stand round in ranks,
And plant a willow o'er my head,
on Shannon's flow'ry banks.