Eileen Og for that the darlin's name is Through the barony her features they were famous And if we loved her who could ever blame us For wasn't she the pride of Petrovor. But her beauty made us all so shy, Not a man among us could look her in the eye Boys, oh boys, that's now the reason why We're lamenting for the pride of Petrovor.
Chorus: Eileen Og, me heart is turning grey Ever since the day you wandered far away Eileen Og, there's good fish in the sea But there's no one like the pride of Petrovor.
Friday night at the fair of Balatober Eileen met McGrath, the cattle jobber I'd like to set me mark upon that robber For he stole away the pride of Petrovar. He didn't seem to notice her at all Even when she ogled him underneath her shawl Lookin' big and masterful while she was lookin small Most provoking for pride of Petrovar.
So it went as it had in the beginning, Eileen Og was big upon the winnin' While big McGrath contentedly was grinnin' At being courted by the pride of Petrovar. Said he, "I know a girl who could knock you into fits." At that lovely Eileen nearly lost her wits. But the upshot of the ruction is that now the robber sits With his arm around the pride of Petrovor.
So, me boys with fate it's hard to grapple Of me eye, sure Eileen was the apple And now to see her going to the chapel with the hardest featured man in Petrovor. So me boys, here's all I have to say When you do your courtin', make no display And if you want them to run after you, Walk the other way For they're mostly like the pride of Petrovor.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources:
Recorded sources: Green Linnet SIF3040, De Dannan - "Ballroom" (1987). De Dannan – “Greatest Hits."
See also listing at:
Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [1]
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [2]