Tell me the legends of long ago

When the kings and queens would dance in the realm of the Black Rose

Play me the melodies I want to know

So I can teach my children, oh



Pray tell me the story of young Cuchulainn

How his eyes were dark his expression sullen

And how he'd fight and always won

And how they cried when he was fallen



Oh tell me the story of the Queen of this land

And how her sons died at her own hand

And how fools obey commands

Oh tell me the legends of long ago



Where the mountains of Mourne come down to the sea

Will she no come back to me

Will she no come back to me



Oh Shenandoah I hear you calling

Far away you rolling river

Roll down the mountain side

On down on down go lassie go



Oh Tell me the legends of long ago

When the kings and queens would dance in the realms of the Black Rose

Play me the melodies so I might know

So I can tell my children, oh



My Roisin Dubh is my one and only true love

It was a joy that Joyce brought to me

While William Butler waits

And Oscar, he's going Wilde



Ah sure, Brendan where have you Behan?

Looking for a girl with green eyes

My dark Rosaleen is my only colleen

That Georgie knows Best



But Van is the man

Starvation once again

Drinking whiskey in the jar-o

Synge's Playboy of the Western World



As Shaw, Sean I was born and reared there

Where the Mountains of Mourne come down to the sea

Is such a long, long way from Tipperary