Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
Have you ever been in love, me boys?
Oh! have you felt the pain?
I’d rather be in jail, me boys/myself
Than be in love again
For the girl I loved was beautiful
I’d have you all to know
And I met her in the garden
Where the praties grow
Chorus:
She was just the sort of creature, boys
That nature did intend
To walk right through the world, me boys
Without a Grecian Bend
Nor did she wear a chignon
I’d have you all to know
And I met her in the garden
Where the praties grow
Said I, “My pretty/lovely colleen
I hope you’ll pardon me/hope that you agree”
And she wasn’t like the city girls
Who’d say “You’re making free”
She looked at me right modestly/honestly
And curtsied very low
“Sure, you’re welcome in the garden
Where the praties grow”
Chorus
Says I, “My lovely darling/pretty Colleen
I’m tired of single life
And if you’ve no objections
I will make you my sweet wife.”
Says she, “I’ll ask my parents
And tomorrow I’ll let you know
If you’ll meet me in the garden/
and i mmet you in the garden
Where the praties grow”
Chorus
Her parents they consented
And we’re blessed with children three:
Two girls just like their mother
And a boy the image of me
We’ll train them up in decency
The way they ought to go
And we’ll send them to the garden
Where the praties grow
Chorus