Irish Songs: The Mountains of Mourne

The lyrics to the song "The Mountains of Mourne" were written in 1896 by the 19th Century Irish musician Percy French. It is normally sung to the same tune used by Thomas Moore (1779–1852) for his song "Bendemeer's Stream".

The song is representative of French's many works concerning the Irish diaspora. The Mourne Mountains of the title are located in County Down in present-day Northern Ireland. (Wikipedia)

Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight The people here are working by day and by night They don't sow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat But there's gangs of them diggin' for gold in the street	to sow – semer barley – l’orge gang – une équipe to dig - creuser
At least, when I asked them, that's what I was told So I just took a hand at this diggin' for gold But for all that I've found there I might as well be In the place where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea	to take a hand at – s’essayer à to sweep down – vallonner doucement vers
There's beautiful girls here, oh never you mind Beautiful shapes, nature never designed Lovely complexions of roses and cream.	to mind – faire attention à complexion – le teint
But let me remark with regard to the same That if at that those roses you venture to sip The colours might all come away on your lips So I'll wait for the wild roses waitin' for me In the place where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea.	to venture – hasarder, se risquer à faire to sip - siroter wild roses – he refers to the girls back home
You remember young Davey McClarin of course Well sure, now, he's 'round here with the rest of the force I saw him one day as I was crossing The Strand and he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand	The Strand – une rue à Londres wave – un signe
And as we stood talking of days that are gone the whole town of London stood there to look on But for all his great powers, he's wishful like me to be back where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea But for all his great powers he's wishful like me to be back where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea	to look on – regarder, considérer