Tom Lenihan Willie Reilly and His Colleen Bawn

Tom Lenihan (1908-1990), "the long song singer," recorded at his home in Knockbrack, Slieve Callan, Milltown Malbay, Co Clare.
Oh rise up, Willie Reilly, and come along with me,
I mean to go along with you and leave this country.
To leave my father’s dwelling house, his houses and free land.’
And away goes Willie Reilly and his dear Colleen Bawn.
They go by hills and mountains and by yon lonesome plains,
Through shady groves and valleys, all dangers to refrain.
But her father followed after with a well-armed band,
And taken was poor Reilly and his dear Colleen Bawn.
It was home then she was taken and in her closet bound,
Poor Reilly lay in Sligo Jail upon a stony ground.
Till at the bar of justice before the judge he’d stand,
For nothing but the stealing of his dear Colleen Bawn.
The jailer’s son to Reilly goes and thus to him did say,
‘Oh rise up, Willie Reilly, you must appear today.
For great squire Follard’s anger you never shall withstand,
I’m afraid you’ll suffer sorely for your dear Colleen Bawn.’
Now Willie dressed from top to toe all in a suit of green,
His hair hangs o’er his shoulders, most glorious to be seen.
He’s tall and straight and comely as any can be found,
He’s fit for Follard’s daughter, was she heiress to a crown?
‘Oh gentlemen,’ squire Follard said, ‘with pity look on me.
This villain came amongst us to disgrace my family;
And by his base contrivances this villainy was planned.
‘If I don’t get satisfaction I will quit this Irish land.’
The lady, with a tear, began, and thus replied she:
‘The fault is none of Reilly’s - the blame lies all on me.
I forced him for to leave his home, and come along with me.
I loved him out of measure, oh, which wrought our destiny.’
‘Oh, my lord, he stole from her, her diamonds and her rings,
Gold watch and silver buckles and many precious things.
Which cost me in bright guineas more than five hundred pounds.
I’ll have the life of Reilly, should I lose ten thousand pounds.’
‘Oh, my lord, I gave them as tokens of true love.
And when we are a-parting I will them all remove.
If you have got them Reilly, will you send them home to me?’
‘I will, my loving lady, with many thanks to thee.’
‘There is a ring amongst them I’ll allow yourself to wear,
With thirteen locket-diamonds well-set in silver fair,
And as a true-love’s token wear it on your right hand,
That you’ll think of my old broken heart when you’re in a foreign land.’
Then out spoke the noble Fox: ‘You must let this prisoner go.
The lady’s oath has cleared him, as the jury all may know.
She has released her own true love, she has renewed his name.
May her honour bright gain high estate and her offspring rise to fame.’