The Pogues – Star of the County Down Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
Cover art for Star of the County Down by The Pogues

Star of the County Down

Aug. 19891 viewer

Star of the County Down Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Near Banbridge Town in the County Down
One morning last July
A boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by

[Verse 2]
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself
For to see I was really there

[Chorus]
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down

[Verse 3]
As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head
And I looked with a feelin' rare
And I says, says I, to a passer-by
"Whose the maid with the nut brown hair?"

[Verse 4]
He smiled at me and he says's, says's he
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of a Bann
She's the star of the County Down"
[Chorus]
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down

[Verse 5]
At the Harvest Fair, she'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
Get my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right
For a smile from my nut-brown rose

[Verse 6]
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
'Til my plough turns rust colored brown
'Til a smiling bride, by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down

[Chorus]
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down

[Chorus]
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the County Down

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About

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Genius Annotation

This raucous cover of this Irish folk standard appeared as a bonus track on the Pogues' fourth studio album, Peace and Love. Drummer Andrew Ranken gives the song its distinct vocals.

Though the song is widely regarded as a traditional folk song, i.e. of uncertain origin, the lyrics were written by Cathal MacGarvey of County Donegal in the early part of the 20th century. The tune, however, is traditional; it’s the same tune used for the ballad “Dives and Lazarus” and, when used as a hymn tune, is called “Kingsfold.”

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