The Rocks of Bawn

"Oh rise up, gallant Sweeney" the woman's voice was sweet;
The piper took his pipes and stick and followed through the street.
As he was first so he was last from clear daylight till dawn;
He said "We won't be able to plough the Rocks of Bawn!"

All weary walked young Sweeny; the woman went before.
At high-noon he stopped to play before her father's door.
Her father came the youth to curse and drive him from his lawn.
Says she "I go with Sweeney to plough the Rocks of Bawn."

"Now rest you loyal comrade beside this clear spring well;
And look you there, and what you see to me I bid you tell."
Young Sweeney looked through life and death and saw a golden dawn.
He said: "I know we're able to plough the Rocks of Bawn."

Why sit you, Piper Sweeney, so idle through the day;
And where is she you followed far as cuckoo follows May?"
Young Sweeney said "She weeps alone beside her father's lawn
And so I sit me idle all on the Rocks of Bawn."

Oh, rouse you, handsome Sweeney, and rouse the woman, too;
Why sigh you here, why weeps she there while work is still to do?
But Sweeney said, "Though we may toil from clear daylight till dawn,
I fear we won't be able to plough the Rocks of Bawn."

"Where go you now Boy Sweeney a-roving in the May?"
I go to her I'd follow still through dark and stormy day.
I looked into the well she knew, a queen she walked the lawn;
And so I know we're able to plough the Rocks of Bawn."