PRETTY MAGGIE-O
As we marched down through Tipperary-o
As we marched down through Tipperary-o
Our captain stood in awe, 'twas the first time that he saw
That fair and lovely lady, pretty Maggie-o
There are many lovely ladies in this country-o
There are many lovely ladies in this country-o
There are many fresh and fair from Belfast to sweet Kenmare
But the fairest of them all is pretty Maggie-o
"Will you list in the army pretty Maggie-o
Will you list in the army pretty Maggie-o?
You will have a horse to ride and a captain by your side
And a whole band of music playing 'round you-o"
"I never will be a soldiers lady-o
I never will be a soldiers lady-o
I don't intend to roam from my parents and my home
To marry any soldier in the army-o"
Our colonel gave orders not to tarry-o
Our colonel gave orders not to tarry-o
Our captain's heart was broke from the words that Maggie spoke
Oh, cruel were the words of pretty Maggie-o
Long 'ere our troop had reached Killarney-o
Long 'ere our troop had reached Killarney-o
Our captain passed away and we laid him in the clay
He had died for the love of pretty Maggie-o
Cold are the icy winds of winter-o
Cold are the icy winds of winter-o
But colder I declare was the heart of one so fair
A stone for a heart had pretty Maggie-o
Extra verses:
Will you list in the army pretty Maggie-o
Will you list in the army pretty Maggie-o
I ne'er intend to roam far away from mother's home
For to wed with a private in the army-o
Indeed and I'm no private pretty Maggie-o
Indeed and I'm no private pretty Maggie-o
I could make a private stand with his sword or gun in hand
In the presence of his colonel in the army-o
What would you mother think pretty Maggie-o?
What would you mother think pretty Maggie-o?
What would you mother think if she heard the jungle jink
And a whole band of music playing 'round you -o
I gave you my answer six months, aye ago
I gave you my answer six months, aye ago
For I ne'er intend to roam far away from mother's home
For to wed with a private in the army-o
Will you come downstairs pretty Maggy-o?
Will you come downstairs pretty Maggy-o?
Come downstairs, comb back your yellow hair
Take the last farewell of your mammy-o
Will you come downstairs pretty Maggy-o?
Will you come downstairs pretty Maggy-o?
You will have a horse to ride and a captain by your side
And a whole band of music playing 'round you-o
-New words by Tommy Makem
1962