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Sweet Portadown

Daoirí Farrell sang Sweet Portadown on his 2919 album A Lifetime of Happiness. He noted:

This is one of those massive love songs and I learned it from Cathal McConnell. He gave me this song some years ago. I think I heard him singing it first at the Fleadh in Co. Cavan. I can’t even remember how long ago that was. but it was a long time ago now. Cathal says he learned this song from Mrs. McEntee from Co. Monaghan. Cathal put the song to the air Her Mantle so Green.

Lyrics

Daoirí Farrell sings Sweet Portadown

As I went out walking one morning in June
I spied a fair damsel in the sweet summer bloom
Her cheeks they were rosy and her hair it fell down
And she came from the Blackwater near sweet Portadown
I stood in amazement as the breezes did blow
And the blood like a river through my veins did flow
Well I thought her the fairest in all Ireland around
That morning I met her near Sweet Portadown

I says my wee lassie I don’t know your name
And quickly she answered I’m afflicted the same
Well I said mine’s O’Connor but first Pat put down
And she said mine’s O’Driscoll from beside Portadown
I excused myself kindly and I said if you please
We will both take a ramble by the Blackwater breeze
Well she said you are kind sir but I can’t go today
For I’m in search of young lambs that have strayed away

I said I’ll go with you in search of your flock
As the sun it did dazzle on her sweet amber locks
Well we searched the whole day as the sun was going down
And at length we located them near sweet Portadown
As we journeyed on homewards we sat down for to rest
As we watched the rough rushes on the Blackwater’s crest
Well I told her I loved her and would she be my bride
And we both would live happy by the Blackwater side

She said you are a kind sir but you must me excuse
For I am a poor girl and you must be refused
I work hard for my living the whole year around
And besides I would never leave sweet Portadown
I would never expect you leave the land of your birth
For I think it the grandest and the fairest on earth
But if you’ll consent for to be my fond bride
We both would live happy by the Blackwater side

We went to her parents they considered a while
Her mother looked on me and said she with a smile
If Flora consents sure we ll consent too
And married we were on the eighteenth of June
So come all ye young maidens assemble tonight
Oh marry at first love even though at first sight
Don’t marry for riches or fame or renown
For we re living happy in sweet Portadown