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MOLLY ASTHORE, by                    
First Line: As down by banna's banks I strayed, one evening in may
Last Line: Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, me molly asthore!
Variant Title(s): Maillign Mo Stoir
Subject(s): Nair, Plains Of (lake), Ireland


As down by Banna's banks I strayed, one evening in May,
The little birds with blithest notes made vocal every spray;
They sung their little notes of love, they sung them o'er and o'er:
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!

The daisies pied and all the sweets the dawn of Nature yields,
The primrose pale, the violet blue, lay scattered o'er the fields:
Such fragrance in the bosom lies of her whom I adore,
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!

I laid me down upon the bank bewailing my sad fate,
That doomed me thus the slave of Love and cruel Molly's hate.
How can she break the honest heart that wears her in its core?
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!

You said you loved me, Molly dear; ah, why did I believe?
Yet who could think such tender words were meant but to deceive.
That love was all I asked on earth--nay, heaven could give no more.
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!

Oh, had I all the flocks that graze on yonder yellow hill,
Or lowed for me the numerous herds that yon green pastures fill;
With her I'd gladly share my kine, with her my fleecy store,
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!
Two turtle doves above my head sat courting on a bough,
I envied them their happiness to see them bill and coo:
Such fondness once for me she showed, but now, alas, 'tis o'er!
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, ma Molly Asthore!

Then fare thee well, my Molly dear! thy loss I e'er shall moan,
While life remains in Strephon's heart it beats for thee alone;
Though thou art false may heaven on thee its choicest blessings pour,
Ah, gramachree, ma colleen oge, me Molly Asthore!





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