American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 Banks Of Sweet Dundee

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

BANKS OF SWEET DUNDEE.

It is of a farmer's daughter, so beautiful, I'm told;
Her parents died and left her a large amount in gold;
She lived with her uncle, the cause of all her woe,
But you soon shall hear this maiden fair did prove his overthrow.

Her uncle had a plough-boy young Mary loved quite well.
And in her uncle's garden their tales of love would tell.
There was a wealthy squire that oft came her to see,
But still she loved her plough-boy on the banks of sweet Dundee.

It was on a summer's morning, her uncle went straightway,
He knocked at this maiden's door, and unto her did say:
Arise, arise! my pretty maid, and a lady you may be,
For the squire is wailing for you on the banks of sweet Dundee."

"I care not for your squires, your dukes or lords, likewise;
My Willie's eyes appear to me like diamonds in the skies."
"Begone I unruly female, you ne'er shall happy be,
For I intend to banish William from the banks of sweet Dundee."

Her uncle and the squire rode out one summer's day.
"Young William is in favor," her uncle he did say.
"Indeed, it is my intention to tie him to a tree,
And then to bribe a press-gang on the banks of sweet Dundee."

A press-gang came to William, when he was all alone;
He boldly fought for liberty, but they were six to one.
The blood did flow in torrents. "Pray, kill me now," said he,
"For I will die for Mary on the banks of sweet Dundee!"

This maiden fair, walking, lamenting for her love,
She met this wealthy squire down in her uncle's grove;
He put his arms around her: "Stand off I base man," said she,
" You have sent the only lad I loved from the banks of sweet Dundee!"

He put his arm around her, and tried to throw her down;
Two pistols and a sword she saw beneath his morning gown;
She took the weapons from him; his sword he used so free;
But she did fire, and shot the squire on the banks of sweet Dundee.

Her uncle overheard the noise, and hastening to the ground,
Saying: "Since you have killed the squire, I'll give you your death-wound."
" Stand off! "then cried Mary, "undaunted I will be! "
She the trigger drew and her uncle slew on the banks of sweet Dundee.

A doctor soon was sent for-a man of noted skill-
And then there came a lawyer for him to sign his will;
He willed his gold to Mary, who fought so manfully;
Then he closed his eyes, no more to rise, on the banks of sweet Dundee.