Traditional
Farewell to Ballymoney
Courting is a pleasure between my love and I
I’ll go down to yon low valley where she’ll meet me by and by
I’ll go down to yon low valley where stands my heart’s delight
And it’s with you lovely Molly I will spend ‘til broad daylight
Coming home from church last Sunday, my love she passed me by
I could tell her mind was changing by the roving of her eye
I could tell her mind was changing to a man of high degree
Oh Molly, dearest Molly, your love has wounded me
I went up to my true love with a bottle in my hand
Saying ‘Drink of this dear Molly, our courtship ne’er will stand
Saying ‘Drink of this dear Molly, let the bottle and glass flow free
For ten guineas lies in wagers that married we ne’er will be’
There’s some do court in earnest while others court in fun
But I can court the old sweetheart and bring the new one
I can tell her loving stories ‘til I get her mind at ease
And as soon as she has her back turned on me, I am courting whoe’er I please
Never court a sweetheart with the dark and the roving eye
Oh kiss her and embrace her, but don’t tell the reason why
Oh kiss her and embrace her ‘til you get her heart to yield
For a faint hearted soldier never gained the battle field
To the town of Ballymoney and the County Antrim too
Likewise my dearest Molly I will bid you now adieu
Amerikay lies far away, it’s a land I will go see
May all bad luck attend the lad that parted my love and me