The Banks of Dunmore

From Paddy Tunney

You maidens of high and low station and you gentlemen all of renown,
Give ear to these few words I mention and the truth I would like to pen down.
It's all of a beautiful damsel, the heart from my bosom she tore,
And she’s only a poor farmer’s daughter and she lives on the banks of Dunmore.

The hair that hung over her shoulder like ringlets of gold on her head.
Her skin is as light as the lily, and her cheeks they bloom a rosy red.
The more I gazed on this fond creature, the longer I wished to delay.
The heart she has plucked from my bosom and with her has stol’n it away.

At length I approached this fond female, saying my dear won’t you tell me your name,
If you’re of a Christian creation, won’t you tell me from whence love you came.
For I am a man of great title, of riches and great earthly store,
And tonight I will make you my equal and live on the banks of Dunmore.

Kind sir, we're not of one persuasion, the truth I will tell you indeed.
I'm of the Christian Creation, and ruled by the Catholic creed.
The scripture I ofttimes perus-ed and God I have took for my guide.
Until that you do turn a Roman you shall never have me for your bride.

Fair maid I will start one question, explain it to me if you can:
The Bible’s the guide of our religion, and how can you prove that I’m wrong?
But if you confute me by scripture, my parents I'll always disown,
And with you I'll become a true member, and live up to your true Church of Rome.

Kind sir, it is an easy matter to prove unto you that you're wrong.
Transubstantiation we believe in, you’ll find it in the book of John.
And if that you want to go further, sure, God he made Peter his own.
The keys of his treasure he gave him to govern the true church of Rome.

In hopes that we may have a blessing this night from the heavens above,
Controversy we’ll fairly abolish and join in the ar-rms of love.
Your grand explanation has won me, my dear I will make you my own,
And with you I’ll become a true member and live up to the true church of Rome.