> Folk Music > Songs > Ballyronan Maid / Ye Lovers All

Ballyronan Maid / Ye Lovers All

[ Roud - ; trad.]

Len Graham sang Ye Lovers All as the title track of his 1984 Claddagh album with Fintan McManus, Ye Lovers All. He noted:

I learned this song from Marie McEntee of Threemilehouse, County Monaghan. I understand it refers to Ballyronan in County Derry, close to the shore of Lough Neagh.

Nick Dow sang Ye Lovers All on his 2016 album The Devil in the Chest. He noted:

I just can not stop singing this song. Learned from Len Graham 20 years ago and still as compelling as ever.

Geoff Lakeman sang Ye Lovers All on his 2016 album After All These Years. He noted:

I first heard this from Ulster’s master of song, Len Graham, and added concertina for my version. It is a teasing and unusual song about unrequited and requited love. The young woman appears to spurn her suitor but then relents, saying she was only testing him. The song refers to Ballyronan in County Derry, close to the shores of Lough Neagh.

Lyrics

Len Graham sings Ye Lovers All

Ye lovers all both great and small, of learning you have had your share.
Your genius bright help me to write the praises of a comely fair.
Your poet’s mind with me combine, assist me and lend your aid.
Your voices raise, help me to praise my comely Ballyronan maid.

One evening bright by the moonlight I went my darling to see.
I being dressed all in my best I thus addressed this comely she,
Says I, “Fair maid if you’ll consent, we’ll join our hands in wedlock state,
If you’ll prove so kind to ease my mind, my comely Ballyronan maid.”

She says, “Young man I must refuse as single life I quite enjoy.
My heart’s content, I pay no rent and marriage do quite deny.”
“Then if you won’t marry me and you’re sure I cannot you persuade,
I ’ll take my leave no more to see my comely Ballyronan maid.”

She says, “Young man I pray be calm, those words I spoke were only in jest.
Since I have proved you pure and true, since I have put you to the test,
In wedlock bands we’ll join our hands, our happiness won’t be delayed.”
The time is nigh when I’ll enjoy my comely Ballyronan maid.

Geoff Lakeman sings Ye Lovers All

Ye lovers all, both great and small, of learning you have had your share,
Your genius bright help me to write the praises of a comely fair.
Your poet’s mind with the meek inclined, assist me and lend an ear,
Your voices raise, help me to praise my comely Ballyronan maid.

One evening bright by the moonlight I went my darling to see,
I being dressed all in my best, I thus addressed this comely sheen,
Says I, “Fair maid, if you’ll consent to join our hands in the wedlock state,
You’ll prove so kind to ease my mind, my comely Ballyronan maid.”

She said, “Young man, I must refuse for a single life I quite enjoy.
I pay no rent, my heart’s content, and marriage do quite deny.”
“Then if you won’t marry me, you’re sure I cannot you persuade,
I’ll take my leave, no more to see my comely Ballyronan maid.”

She said, “Young man, I pray be calm, the words I spoke were only in jest.
Since I have proved you fair and true, since I have put you to the test,
In the wedlock banns we’ll join our hands our happiness won’t be delayed.”
The time is nigh when I’ll enjoy my comely Ballyronan maid.