From Jackie Boyce’s book Songs of the County Down. Carrickmannon Lake is sung by Fiona Stewart and Sarah Anne O’Neill
MELODY + Lo and Hi Harmonies
MELODY + Hi Harmony
MELODY + Lo Harmony
MELODY only
Choir singing 4th March 2019
WORDS
One evening for my pastime a ramble I did take
Down by yon crystal fountain called Carrickmannon Lake
Down by yon crystal fountain an image I did view
Sure nature never could design an image quite like you
With courage bold undaunted I boldly then stepped forth
Saying “My delightful charmer, you Venus of the North”
Give me my way or else I’ll slay my one and only joy
And sure ‘twould be a pity for to kill a harmless boy.”
With flashing eyes and ne’er a sigh she coldly said to me
“Young man depart for in my heart no place is decked for thee”
And to my further pleading no answer would she make
But turned away and left me there by Carrickmannon Lake
Killinchy is my dwelling place where first my breath I drew
Drumreagh it is my parents’ place, ten thousand times adieu
All for your sake I’ll passage take across the stormy sea
A pilgrim there to do and dare in North Ameri-kee
Now all young men take warning and shun Killinchy fair
Likewise sweet Carrickmannon for that false one lives there
As the sun is slow declining o’er yonder hills so clear
The shadow of her dwelling in the lake it does appear