Banks of the Bann Songtext
von Jackie Oates

When first to this country a stranger I came
I placed my affection in a girl that was young
She being fair and tender, her waist small and slender
′Twas nature that formed her for my overthrow
On the banks of the Bann, it was there I first met her
She appeared like some angel or Egypt's fair queen
Her eyes like diamonds or stars brightly shining
She′s one of the fairest that ever I've seen
Oh, it was her cruel parents that first caused our variance
Because I was poor and of a low degree


But I'll do all my endeavour to earn my love′s favour
Although she has come of a rich family
My name it is Delany, it′s a name that won't shame me
And if I had the money, I′d never have wronged
But drinking and sporting, night rambling and courting
Were the cause of my ruin and absence from home
But had I the wealth that is in the East Indies
I'd put rings on her fingers and gold in her hair
And there on the banks of the lovely Bann River
In all kinds of splendour I′d live with my dear