American Old Time Song Lyrics: 25 The River Roe

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 25

THE RIVER ROE.

As I went out one evening, all in the mouth of June,
The primroses and daisies, and violets were in bloom;
I espied a lovely fair one, and her I did not know,
I took her for an angel that was bathing in the Roe.

Her teeth were like ivory, her skin a lily white,
Her cheeks as red as roses, her eyes like diamonds bright,
Her surname I'll not tell, lest you might her know,
But her master's habitation is on the river Roe.

I quickly stepped up to her, and this to her did say:
"Are you a goddess, or what brought you this way?"
She answered me right modestly, and said: "I am not so,
I'm but a servant maid that was bathing in the Roe."

I said: " My pretty fair maid, if with me you'll agree,
Well join our hands in wedlock, and wedded we will be;
My father, he's a nobleman, the country well docs know,
And his dwelling lies convenient to the river Roe."

She quickly made me answer, and this to me did say:
' My mistress she is waiting, I have no time to stay;
I'll meet you to-morrow and my mistress won't know,
We'll have some conversing on the river Roe."

They both shook hands and parted, from each other did go,
In hopes to meet next morning along the river Roe;
She dressed herself in private, away then she did go,
Her true-love he was waiting along the river Roe.

When she came up to him, he thus to her did say:
"I'm glad to meet you here, my love, on this very day,
I'm glad to meet you here, love, the way that I will know,
If you're going to wed with me and dwell beside the river Roe."

She modestly did answer, and said: "She was content."
I kissed and embraced her, and away both went;
We were married next evening, as you will shortly know,
She has servants to attend her, and she dwells upon the Roe.

It was within ten miles of Newton, convenient to the tide,
You'll find my habitation convenient to the soil,
You'll see ships from Limerick sailing down the silvery tide,
And the lads and the lassies sparking along the river side.

Farewell to friends and parents, and to the flowing quay,
Likewise my old acquaintance, and I have no time to stay;
Here is health to my own sweetheart, the girl that you know,
And we will sing to the maid that dwells along the river Roe.