As I roved out one evening down by the river side
Looking all around me an Irish girl I spied
So red and rosy were her cheeks and yellow was her hair
And costly were the robes of gold my Irish girl did wear
The first time that I saw my love I was sick and feeling bad
All that I could ask of her was that she might tie my head
I asked her if one as bad as me could ever mind again
For love is a sore disorder, did you ever feel the pain
Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by
My love she'll not come near me for all the moan I make
Neither will she pity me though my poor heart should break
But if I were of noble blood and she of a lower degree
She'd hear my lamentation and come and pity for me
Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by
My only love is fairer than the lilies that do grow
She has voice that's clearer than any wind that blows
She's the promise of this country like Venus in the air
So let her go wherever she will, she's my joy and only dear
Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by
And if I were a butterfly I'd light on my love's breast
If I were a linnet I'd sing my love to rest
And if I were some nightingale I'd sing till the morning clear
For once I loved an Irish girl she's my joy and only dear
Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by
Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by
It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by