As I roved out walking one fine summer’s morning,
I straight took my way to a green shady grove,
Where I met my own darling, so early in the morning.
I asked her would she come with me to Erin’s green shore.

I’ll leave old England and go back to Ireland.
I’ll leave old England and you’ll ne’er see me more.
I’ll leave old England and go home to see my darling.
I’ll live forever in Erin’s green shore.

Why will you leave me my charming young creature?
Why will you leave me all throbbing when you go?
For my heart it will break to part with you my darling,
Tomorrow we’ll be parted and you’ll ne’er see me more.

Now I must leave you my charming young creature,
Now I must leave you and from you I will go.
For there is another girl both handsome, neat and pretty,
She's the pride of old Ireland in Erin’s green shore.

Oh Johnny, lovely Johnny you might be mistaken,
You might be mistaken so from me do not go.
For I’ll get my father’s property, and you and I will marry,
And then we will live happy in Erin’s green shore.

Had I the wealth of Damer or all that’s in England,
Or all the gold and silver that is in Mexico.
I would not leave my dearie for a hundred thousand yearly.
Adieu my lovely fair one, will I e’er see you more?

I’ll leave old England and go back to Ireland,
I’ll leave old England and you’ll ne’er see me more.
I’ll leave old England and go home to see my darling,
Ireland forever in Erin’s green shore.

“This is very different from Tom Lenihan’s ‘Aisling’ bearing the same title (Roud 280, Laws Q 27) and I can find no reference to this whatever. Tom’s song tells of an encounter with a ‘dream woman’ who symbolises Ireland and her woes. This more earthbound piece tells of an Irish immigrant in England who persuades his lover to return to Ireland with him, only to abandon her and sail away, leaving her bereft on the English shore.”
Jim Carroll

See also
Erin's Green Shore sung by Tom Lenihan