LORD DONEGAL LYRICS

Recorded by Rita And Sarah Keane

Lord Donegal he stood at his own hall door 
Brushing his milk white steed
When he was observed by his own true love 
Who hastened to wish him God speed 

Saying where are you going Lord Donegal she said
Or where are you going from me
I am going to New England my Queen Isabell 
Some other strange country to see.

When will you return Lord Donegal she said 
When will you return to me
When a day and a year has passed and gone 
I'll return and get married to thee.

That is too long Lord Donegal she said 
That is too long for me
For you might forget your own Queen Isabell 
And pick up some other lady.

Then he had not gone but a very short time 
A day and a half a year
When sorrow and trouble came into his mind
In vain could he seek his own dear

And as he was returning all alone 
Riding his milk white steed
He heard the sound of a peaceful bell 
And the ladies all mourning there been
 
Saying who is it that is dead on today 
And is going to be buried on tomorrow 
It's the King's only daughter the ladies 
replied And they called her Queen Ann Isabella.

Then he ordered the coffin right open to be 
And the shrouds to be torn down
Whilst he fell a kissing her pale cold 
pale lips As the tears came rolling down

Saying now as I've kissed your cold pale lips
And you can never kiss mine
A vow and a promise I'll make on to you 
That I'll never kiss any but thine.

Then one of them died as if on today 
And the other as if on tomorrow
Queen Ann Isabell died out of true love
Lord Donegal he died out of sorrow

One was buried in St Mary's church
And the other in Mary's choir
Over Queen Isabell there grew a red rose
And over her lover a brier

They grew, and they grew to the church
steeple top
Until they could grow no higher
And they knotted together in a true lovers knot
For all the world to admire.