Karan cover pic

Jimmy Whelan

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey)


One evening of late as I went a walking
Watching the sunbeams as evening drew nigh
'Twas onwards I rambled and I spied a fair maiden
A weeping and a wailing with many's a sigh

For one who is gone and now lies lonely
Lonely for one no mortal can tell
Her deep roaming waters roll swiftly around him
And the grass it lies green over young Jimmy's grave

Oh Jimmy she cried now don't go and leave me
Don't go and leave me here for to mourn
take me oh take along with you darling
Down to your grave and the cold silent tomb

My darling he said you are asking a favour
That no mortal on earth could grant onto thee
For death is the dagger that has torn us asunder
And wide is the grave love between you and me

For tis oft times you walk by the banks of the river
My spirit will watch you to guard and to keep
There will I hover and ever fly over
To protect my darling from the cold silent tomb

One fond embrace love and then I must leave you
One loving farewell and then we must part
Cold were the arms that encircled around her
And cold was the form she pressed to her heart

Then slowly he rose from the banks of the river
Up to the skies he then seem to go
Leaving this fair maid by the side of the water
A weeping and a wailing with many's a sigh

Oh Jimmy she cried now don't go and leave me
Don't go and leave me here for to mourn
take me oh take along with you darling
Down to your grave and the cold silent tomb