"The Old Dungarvan Oak" lyrics - DANIEL O'DONNELL

As I roved out one morning going to Dungarvan Fair
I spied a pretty maiden with the sunlight in her hair
Her way was so delightful, her voice rang like a bell
And as I overtook her I asked if she was well.

[Chorus:]
Lay down your woolen shawl me love
I swear it is no joke
And I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.

As we approached Dungarvan the girl at me did stare
And she asked me why I raised my hat to a tree so old and bare
I told her of the legend, if the tree should e'er come down
There'd be a great disaster and Dungarvan would be drowned.

[Chorus]

[Instrumental]

Then she started laughing, my face grew very red
And she said that only fools believed what those old legends said
Her laughter was contagious for the truth to you I'll tell
By the time I reached the market place I began to laugh as well.

[Chorus]

As I sit here by my fireside it's the autumn of my life
And the darling girl I met that day is now my darling wife
I have a lovely daughter And a son to push my yoke
And all because I raised my hat to the Old Dungarvan Oak.

[Chorus 2x]