Down-adown-derry,
Sweet Annie Maroon,
Gathering daisies
In the meadows of Doone,
Sees a white fairy
Skip buxom and free
Where the waters go brawling
In rills to the sea;
Singing down-adown-derry.
Down-adown-derry,
Sweet Annie Maroon
Through the green grasses
Runs fleetly and soon,
And lo! on a lily
She sees one recline
Whose eyes in her wee face
Like the water-sparks shine;
Singing down-adown-derry.
Down-adown-derry,
And shrill was her tune:--
'Come to my water-house,
Annie Maroon,
Come in your pink gown,
Your curls on your head,
To wear the white samite
And rubies instead';
Singing down-adown-derry.
'Down-adown-derry,
Lean fish of the sea,
Bring lanthorns for feasting
The gay Faerie;
And it's dancing on sand 'tis
That's smoother than wool;--
Foam-fruit and wild honey
To pleasure you full';
Singing down-adown-derry.
Down-adown-derry,
Sweet Annie Maroon
Looked large on the fairy
Curled wan as the moon;
And all the grey ripples
To the Mill racing by,
With harps and with timbrels
Did ringing reply;
Singing down-adown-derry.
'Down-adown-derry,'
Sang the Fairy of Doone,
Piercing the heart of
Sweet Annie Maroon;
And lo! when like roses
The clouds of the sun
Faded at dusk, gone
Was Annie Maroon;
Singing down-adown-derry.
Down-adown-derry,
The daisies are few;
Frost twinkles powd'ry
In haunts of the dew;
Only the robin
Perched on a white thorn,
Can comfort the heart of
A father forlorn;
Singing down-adown-derry.
Down-adown-derry,
There's snow in the air;
Ice where the lily
Bloomed waxen and fair;
He may call o'er the water,
Cry--cry through the Mill,
But Annie Maroon, alas!
Answer ne'er will;
Singing down-adown-derry.