Star of the County Down
# Star of the County Down

Star of the County Down (litt. « Étoile du comté de Down ») est une ballade irlandaise. Les paroles ont été écrites par Cathal McGarvey, un poète irlandais du début du XXe siècle.

## Partition et paroles

Star of the county down :

* Couplet
* In a Banbridge town, near the County Down, One morning last July, Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín, And she smiled as she passed me by Oh, she looked so sweet from her two white feet, To the sheen of her nut-brown hair, Sure the coaxing elf, I’d to shake myself, To make sure I was standing there.
* Refrain
* Oh, from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay, And from Galway to Dublin town No maid I’ve seen like the sweet colleen, That I met in the County Down.
* As she onward sped I shook my head And I gazed with a feeling queer ‚And I said‘, says I, to a passer-by. ‚Who’s the maid with the nut-brown hair?‘ Oh, 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.‘
* Refrain
* She’d a soft brown eye and a look so sly, And a smile like the rose in June, And you hung on each note from her lily-white throat, As she lilted an Irish tune. At the pattern dance you were held in trance As she tripped through a reel or jig, And when her eyes she’d roll, she’d coax upon my soul A spud from a hungry pig.
* Refrain
* I’ve travelled a bit, but never was hit, Since my roving career began; But fair and square I surrendered there To the charm of young Rose McCann. With a heart to let and no tenant yet Did I meet within shawl or gown But in she went and I asked no rent From the star of the County Down.
* Refrain
* At the harvest 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 my plough with rust turns brown Till a smiling bride by my own fireside Sits the Star of the County Down.
* Refrain |

## Auteur et composition

L'auteur de Star of the County Down est Cathal McGarvey.

La musique sur laquelle ces paroles sont chantées est un traditionnel irlandais, utilisée comme support de nombreuses chansons ; la plus connue d'entre elles est My Love Nell. Néanmoins, c'est surtout Star of the County Down qui a rendu l'air célèbre.

À son tour, la musique de cette chanson a inspiré d'autres chants postérieurs, notamment de Loreena McKennitt.

## Différentes versions

Une des premières versions enregistrées de Star of the County Down est chantée par John McCormack. The Clancy Brothers, The Irish Rovers (en), Van Morrison et The Chieftains, The High Kings, The Pogues, Nathan Carter (en), Orthodox Celts, The Dubliners l'ont également $interprétée^,.$

