Bridie Gallagher - If I Were a Blackbird

Bridie Gallagher, the Girl from Donegal - If I Were a Blackbird

Lyrics:

I once knew a maiden, a maiden so rare
Fell in love with a sailor, a young sailor beau,
She courted him dearly, by night and by day
Til at length this young sailor, he sailed far away

Chorus
And if I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing
I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in,
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest
And I'd fly like a seagull to his lily white breast

My true love is handsome in every degree
My parents despise him because he loves me
Well, let them despise him, or say what they will
While there's life in my bosom, I'll love the lad still (Chorus)

If I were a scholar, I could handle a pen
One long, loving letter unto him I'd send
I'd tell him my sorrow, my grief and my woes
If I could but find him I'd crown him with gold (Chorus)

Im just a young sailor and my story is sad
For once I was happy and a brave sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
But now she has left me and gone far away

And pillow my head on her lily white breast
Whistle and sing, whistle and sing
Ill follow the ship that my true love sails in

Category:

Music

Tags:

• irish
• ballad
• ireland
• song
• singing
• traditional
• old

[jamesmolloy85100]

irish rebel version, If I were a Blackbird I'd whistle and sing I'd fly over to England and piss on the King

[saunders2159]

RIP Bridie

[RuthTCB]

Thanks Mike for another wonderful share! Wonderful song, singing and video! Thumbs Up! :)

[davidwalsh66]

look out for the version by ENTHE CAMPBELL it really is beautiful

[MsSylvia59]

My grandmother sang this all the time

[bloodgorged]

Lovely song,sung by an equally lovely lady.

[bilstew]

wonderful song and great to see bridie after many years.Can still hear the lilty laugh in her voice. greets from Belfast....