Lovely Ann

Len Graham sang Lovely Ann in 1984 on his Claddagh album with Fintan McManus, Ye Lovers All. He noted:

I first heard this song from Barney McManus of Torbraden, County Fermanagh, some fifteen years ago. I was delighted recently to hear another version from Fintan’s mother, Rose McManus of Corradiller, County Fermanagh. I sing Rose’s version here.

Cathal McConnell sang Lovely Ann on Boys of the Lough’s 1987 album Farewell and Remember Me. They noted:

Sean Corcoran recently collected this song from Mrs. Rose Johnson of Ardgart, Fermanagh, and published it in Here’s a Health (1980, Arts Council of Ireland), together with a tape.

He notes how the patterns of internal and cross-rhyme reflect those of Irish language poetry. Local singers ascribe the song to Peter Magennis, a nineteenth-century schoolmaster-bard who wrote in this style, although the song also appears in early ballad sheets. Cathal chose to adhere to Fermanagh tradition on this one and sing it unaccompanied—yet not unadorned.

Lyrics

Len Graham sings Lovely Ann

Ye swains have pity I pray draw near to me a wounded lover,
In praises of a comely fair I mean for to discover.
As I tripped over the verdant plain the feathered songsters’ notes did change,
In melody their voices range in praise of lovely Ann.

My darling she, oh, so divine, she’s all together charming,
She far exceeds the sun that shines or the stars that go in the morning.
Her neck and waist and every limb has my poor heart in Cupid’s chain,
And if you wish for to know her name, she is called sweet lovely Ann.

Her parents they are so unkind, they are altogether cruel,
That I dare not my mind reveal unto my darling jewel.
The reason why, because I’m poor one sight of me they can’t endure,
Nor dare I ever approach the door where dwells sweet lovely Ann.

So fare thee well, I must away and leave you here behind me.
And if you prove a loyal love ‘tis constant you will find me,
For did I possess the Indian store I would part with all and ten times more,
All for the girl that I adore, she’s called sweet lovely Ann.