DOWN-ADOWN-DERRY

Down-adown-derry,

Sweet Annie Maroon,

Gathering daisies

In the meadows of Doone,

Hears a shrill piping,

Elflike 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

Peeps softly; and soon

Spies under green willows

A fairy whose song

Like the smallest of bubbles

Floats bobbing along;

Singing down-adown-derry.

Down-adown-derry,

Her cheeks were like wine,

Her eyes in her wee face

Like water-sparks shine,

Her niminy fingers

Her sleep tresses preen,

The which in the combing

She peeps out between;

Singing down-adown-derry.

Down-adown-derry,

Shrill, shrill was her tune:—

“Come to my water-house,

Annie Maroon:

Come in your dimity,

Ribbon on head,

To wear siller seaweed

And coral instead”;

Singing down-adown-derry.

“Down-adown-derry,

Lean fish of the sea,

Bring lanthorns for feasting

The gay Faërie;

‘ Tis sand for the dancing,

A music all sweet

In the water-green gloaming

For thistledown feet”;

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 powdery

In haunts of the dew;

And only the robin

Perched on a 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.