Arise now and dress yourself quickly
'Til I gaze once again on your brow
And we'll go to the Bishop of Erin
In wedlock to pledge our vows
I love and cherish you dearly
Elope with me, love of my heart
Wouldn't the person be silly or foolish
That would try to keep us apart?

Last night in a vision I saw her
As I lay asleep on my bed
She came to me as a treasure
This beautiful golden-haired maid
Her golden locks trailed on the green grass
A spate of beauty that none could surpass
And why should it worry the clergy
If I slept with my true love last night?

Oh lady of stature and honor
Oh fair one of beauty so rare
The virtues of kindness and goodness
Shine brightly from inside your heart
There's talk of the beauty of Deirdre
Of Niamh and of Helen so fair
But if all were bonded together
To my true love they would not compare

If you do not come soon to be with me
No longer on earth will I stay
For this love in my heart is expanding
And torments me by night and by day
I'll dress you in silks and in satins
Trimmed neatly in braids of gold
My true love, prepare now and join me
And we'll live in contentment untold

I long that myself and my true love
Are not many leagues out to sea
On a lonely and wooded island
Where the clouds glide silent and free
And small birds could peacefully nest there
Where the eagle and cuckoo could dwell
And I'd cast a spell on a small bird
The brightness of day to quell

Arise now and dress yourself quickly
'Til I gaze once again on your brow
And we'll go to the Bishop of Erin
In wedlock to pledge our vows
I love and cherish you dearly
Elope with me, love of my heart
Wouldn't the person be silly or foolish
That would try to keep us apart?