Bonny, bonny was my seat in the red rosy yard
And Bonny was my ship in the town of Ballynagard
Shade and shelter was for me 'til I began to fail
You all may guess now my distress lies near the nightingale

Grief and woe that I must go to fight for England's king
I neither know his friend or foe and war's a cruel thing
The nightingale is near at hand, my time at home is brief
And Carey's steams and mountain land I part with bitter grief

No more I'll walk the golden hills with Nancy by my side
Or dream along the sun bright rills or view my land with pride
We sail away at dawn of day, the sails are ready set
When old Benmore I see no more, I'll sigh with deep regret

Now all must change and I must range across the ocean wide
Our ship she may in Biscay's bay lie low beneath the tide
If I should fall by cannon ball or sink beneath the sea
Good people all, a tear let fall and mourn for mine and me

If God should spare my greying hair and bring me back again
I'd love far more my Antrim shore, its dark blue hills and rain
Around the fires, my heart's desires, heaven grant 'til life shall fail
And keep me far from the cruel war and from the nightingale