Winnie O'Neill

Just a boy of seventeen,
Working in the fields of green,
Fell in love wih a Newry girl,
She said her name was Winnie.
She could dance and she could sing,
She to me was everything,
I knew her two short years when,
I asked to marry Winnie.
Winnie, will you marry me,
Take me family name O'Neill,
They say there's gold in America,
Far away from the County Down.
Jimmy O'neill I'll marry you,
We'll take the boat from Liverpool,
From there we'll sail to America,
Far away from the county Down.
We were wed and full of hope,
Saved enough to take the boat,
Said goodbyes with tears in her eyes,
We sailed from Belfast harbor.
As the boat began to dock,
We received an awful shock,
All our plans and dreams were gone,
All our money, it was stolen.
Winnie though you married me,
Took me family name O'Neill,
We can't go to America,
Away from the county Down.
Jimmy O'Neill I married you,
So let's stay here in Liverpool,
For better or for Worse,
Far away from the county Down.
It was a blessing not a curse,
From that rogue, who stole my purse,
Built our lives in Liverpool,
Without O'Neill, a dollar.
Friends I sing this song for you,
Story about a life so true,
Piece of family history,
To buy my own grandfather.
How an acorn grew on Oak
Family tree that won't be broke,
I'm so glad they missed the boat,
Jimmy and Winnie O'Neill.
Winnie will you marry me,
Take me family name O'Neill,
There's gold in America,
Away from the county Down.
Jimmy O'Neill I'll marry you,
We'll take the boat from Liverpool,
From there we'll sail to America,
Far away from the county Down.
Winnie will you marry me,
Take me family name O'Neill,
There's gold in America,
Away from the county Down.
Jimmy O'Neill I'll marry you,
We'll take the boat from Liverpool,
From there we'll sail to America,
Far away from the county Down.
Yes we'll return some day to the county Down.