As (Dm)I was going to (F)Dublin on the (Em)very first day of the (Dm)year,
A young and pretty (F)maiden on the (Em)road
before me did ap(Dm)pear.
"Where d'you hail from, my pretty (F)maiden?" I did (G)ask her so soft(F)ly.
"It's at (Dm)Tuaifeen
that I (F)dwell, Sir, and a (Em)fairer place you'll never (Dm)see.
Am-Dm-Am (optional bridge)
"Now it's (Dm)my turn for a (F)question," this (Em)pretty maiden did de(Dm)cide.
Are you free to make so (F)bold
now, when at (Em)home your poor wife does re(Dm)side?"
"'Tis true, my wife is ever (F)ailing, these (G)past three months
and lon(F)ger,
And my (Dm)spirit it is (F)breaking, for I (Em)know that she will ne'er be (Dm)wed."
Am-Dm-Am
"What would (Dm)you give", she con(F)tinued, "If a (Em)different fortune could be (Dm)thine?
What would you give",
she did (F)press me, "for a (Em)maiden young and in her (Dm)prime?
Who could give you money in your (F)pocket, and (G)gold
for you to squan(F)der,
And each (Dm)night just to en(F)chant you, golden (Em)tresses strewn across your (Dm)bed?"
Am-Dm-Am
"Oh, fair (Dm)maiden, do not (F)tempt me, though there's (Em)something in your face, I (Dm)know,
And the toss
of your golden (F)hair makes the (Em)strangest spark within me (Dm)grow.
But no money have I in my (F)pocket, nor (G)gold,
nor land to hold (F)on,
And I (Dm)fear to take a(F)nother to be (Em)troubled for my pains a(Dm)gain."
Am-Dm-Am
But (Dm)as they were a-(F)walking and (Em)talking fondly all the (Dm)day,
He knew this lass would (F)have him
if (Em)only they could find a (Dm)way.
"I would travel all the roads of (F)Ireland if (G)one sweet kiss you'd give (F)me,
And
for(Dm)saking friends and (F)family just to (Em)keep you only unto (Dm)me."
Am-Dm-Am
"Come with (Dm)me, love, on the (F)morrow. on the (Em)high path you and I must (Dm)meet,
And no more will we be
(F)parted when we (Em)find at last our own re(Dm)treat.
And if friends and family ask a(F)bout me, and the (G)change that
comes about (F)me,
I can (Dm)tell them with a (F)glad heart, it's my (Em)first true love that I've (Dm)found."
