As I rode out one morning going to Dungarvan Fair
I spied a pretty maiden with the sunlight in her hair.
Her way was so delightful, her voice rang like a bell,
And as I overtook her I asked if she was well.
Chorus:
Lay down your woolen shawl my love
I swear it is no joke.
I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.
As we approached Dungarvan the girl at me did stare
And she asked me why I raised my hat to a tree so old and bare.
I told her of the legend, if the tree should e'er come down
There'd be a great disaster, sure Dungarvan would be drowned.
Chorus:
Lay down your woolen shawl my love
I swear it is no joke.
I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.
--- Instrumental ---
Ah, then she started laughing, my face grew very red;
She said that only fools believed what those old legends said.
Her laughter was contagious for the truth to you I'll tell:
By the time I reached the market place I began to laugh as well.
Chorus:
Lay down your woolen shawl my love
I swear it is no joke.
I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.
As I sit here by my fireside, it's the autumn of my life
And the darling girl I met that day is now my darling wife.
Sure we have a lovely daughter, and the son to push my yoke,
And all because I raised my hat to the Old Dungarvan Oak.
Chorus:
Lay down your woolen shawl my love
I swear it is no joke.
I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.
Chorus:
Lay down your woolen shawl my love
I swear it is no joke.
I'll tell to you the story
Of the Old Dungarvan Oak.