Hello,
I would very much like to find lyrics for "Magherafelt May Fair," a traditional Irish tune I heard many years ago and really liked.
I have googled for it, as well as checked many, many Irish lyrics sites and can't seem to find anything complete.
The closest I have come is an excerpt from a speech by Seamus Heaney, in which he quotes parts of the song, shown below. If you know the lyrics in their entirety, or know where I can definitely find them, please let me know. Like I said, I've checked all the well-known Irish lyrics and could not turn this one up, so I'd really like to know if anybody has a link straight to lyrics for this specific song.
Thanks!
Here are Heaney's excerpts....
The beginning of the song:
I am a bouncing fair young girl,
my age is scarce sixteen,
and when I'm dressed all in my best
I look like any queen;
bright, young, at play, who wants a way
to go and sell her wares,
on the twelfth of May I made my way
to Magherafelt May Fair.
My mother's caution unto me
was not stay late in town,
for if you do, my father and I
both on you we will frown.
Be wise and shun bad company
and of young men do beware --
how smart you be, don't make too free
in Magherafelt May Fair.
And the ending:
So I bade them all good evening
and there I hoisted sail,
Let the best betide my countryside,
my fortune never fail.
Then night coming on, all hopes being gone,
I think I will try elsewhere,
at a dance or a wake my chance I'll take
and leave Magherafelt May Fair.
Again, any help you can provide would be great!