Thursday, March 17, 2011

star of the county down

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From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín
That I met in the County Down

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Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning last July
Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself
To make sure I was standing there.

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As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
He smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown.
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the star of the County Down."

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I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down.

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At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.

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From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín
That I met in the County Down.

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(dress: forever 21; tights: gap; shoes: seychelles; scarf/belt: thrifted; sweatshirt: irish tourist shop)

So this outfit is perhaps more gypsy-folk than Irish-folk, but no matter... I've got a little green going on, which is more than I can say for last year's ensemble. I thought I should probably wear my Ireland sweatshirt for at least one photo, since I found it in a bag of my old clothes last week (pretty timely). When our semester in Dublin was over, my friend Olya and I bought matching sweatshirts (hers was like this but dark green) and took a bus across the country, visiting Sligo, Cork, and Galway (where I promptly had my wallet stolen with my temporary passport inside [since it had originally been stolen in Rome] and spent the rest of the trip crying on the phone trying to find a way to get on an international flight without a replacement).

The lyrics in this post are from my new favorite song in our repertoire. Tonight's the big night! I'm hoping to finagle some video out of the show, but knowing me and my family we will be way too disorganized to manage it :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!
Sláinte!

14 comments:

  1. I love this dress on you, its so beautiful and looks great with the green tights! I am so jealous you got to go to Ireland, my dads family is from there and I really want to go.
    xJennaD

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  2. I love all the colours together, it works so wonderfully, the dress looks lovely on you too. Happy St. Patricks day! x

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  3. Cuuuuute! Now this is a St Patty's day look I can get behind! I love the dress and the shade of your tights! Good luck tonight!

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  4. The green tights are adorable!

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  5. Best of luck with the performance, I'm sure it'll be great. Haha, I'm kind of jealous of your musical family! Mine does the odd sing-along at home when we can get my uncle over to play guitar. Usually fairly tipsy though. ; )

    Loving the green tights!

    And another great Irish folk song for you... Carrickfergus (I can't seem to find the version I like anywhere, but it's from a Loreena McKennitt album, although it's a man who sings it, with a voice like honey and whisky.

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  6. This is sooo adorable! love the colours and the fabric combination! :)x

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  7. Love the pattern mix here. As usual it's brilliantly perfect.

    Happy St. Patrick's day. Hope your performance is magical.

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  8. Your hair looks incredible! I love your green additions, very festive. Cheers!

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  9. Well, now I officially need to invest in some green tights! I love this outfit and have got to say that you've looked extra adorable lately! The song's beautiful, I'm jealous you spent a semester in Ireland, and good luck with your gig!

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  10. I am simply loving silk scarves worn this way lately.
    It's a good thing that I go through this phase now and again so I have quite a few in my repetoire! AND...I thrifted a Chanel one a week ago for $1!!! Really!

    I backpacked the west coast of Ireland and went to the Aran Islands when I was 20. Of all the countries I have visited it is by far my very favorite.
    But then again I could just be partial since my maternal side all hails from Galway!
    Slainte!

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  11. those green tights are GREAT!!!! love them! and i just read your ireland post - beyond jealous!

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  12. so pretty! i love the mix of colors and patterns, and that dress is just adorable.

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  13. Grand outfit :D I love those colours and have major tights envy - such a beautiful shade of green and patterned too!

    Have a great night!

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  14. Though I'm a million years late in posting this comment, I gotta tell you how much I ADORE this outfit. It has haunted me with its utter awesomeness. Just thought I'd tell ya. :)

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