Willie Lennox - Dervish

It was early one morning Willie Lennox arose

And straight to his cousin’s bed chamber he goes

Saying, «Arise, lovely cousin, and let no one know

'Tis a fine summer’s morning, to the lakes let us go»

As Willie and his cousin when down the long lane

They met Sargent Henry and Colonel Ronayne

Said the Colonel, «Do not enter, do not venture in

For there’s deep and false waters in Lough Inshollin»

But Willie, being stout-hearted, it’s in he did go

He swam to an island which was his overthrow

He swam it twice over and was turning around

And in a few minutes Willie Lennox was drowned

Small boats, they were lowered, long lines were let down

And in a few minutes Willie Lennox was found

There was an old woman being there standing by

She ran to his mother and this she did cry

«Sad news I have for you which grieves my heart sore

For your own darling Willie, his name is no more»

And as for Willie’s true love who mourns night and day

For the loss of her true love who lies cold in the clay

For both morning and evening he did her salute

With the pink and red roses and all garden fruit

All gathered together and stood in a ring

While the orange and purple around them did hang

They all whispered lowly and raised up their hands

Saying, «Boys, while you’re living, beware of the Bann»