True lover's garland (1)/Shannon's flowery banks

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SHANNON's FLOWERY BANKS.

In summer when the leaves were green,
⁠and blossoms deck'd each tree,
Young Sandy then declar'd his love,
⁠his artless love to me.
On Shannon's flowery banks we sat,
⁠and there be told his tale;
Oh, Mary, softest of thy sex,
⁠O let fond love prevail!

Ah! well-a-day! you see me pine
⁠in sorrow and despair,
Yet heed me not———then let me die,
⁠and end my grief and care!
Ah no! dear youth I softly said;
⁠such love demands my thanks:
And here I vow in lasting truth,
⁠on Shannon s flow'ry banks.

And here we vow'd our lasting truth,
⁠on Shannon's flow'ry banks ;
And then we gather'd sweetest flowers,
⁠and play'd such artless pranks;
But woe's me! the press gang came,
⁠and forc'd my love away
Just when we nam'd next morning fair
⁠to be our wedding day!

Dear Sandy cry'd, They've forc'd me hence,
⁠but still my heart is thine;
All peace be yours my Mary dear,
⁠while war and toil be mine;
With riches I'll return to thee
⁠I sobb'd out words of thanks;
And then he vow'd his constant love

⁠on Shannon's flow'ry ⟨banks⟩.

And then he vow'd his constant love
⁠on Shannon s flow'ry banks,
And then I saw him sail away
⁠and join the hostile ranks
From morn to eve, for twelve dull months,
⁠his absence sad I mourn'd:
The peace was made the ship came back,
⁠but Sandy ne'er return'd.

His beauteous face, his manly form,
⁠has won a nobler fair;
My Sandy's ⟨false⟩ and I forlorn,
⁠must die in sad despair!
Ye gentle maidens see me laid,
⁠while you stand round in ranks,
And plant a willow o'er my head,
⁠on Shannon's flow'ry banks.