My love is one of the finest young men that e'er the sun has shined upon,
And how to gain him, I do not know it for he's got sentenced all to be hung.
And, when he walks the streets of Derry, I'm sure he walks most manfully.
He looks more like a commander-general than one to die on the gallows tree.

The very first step he took of the ladder, his aged father was standing nigh.
"Come here, come here, my aged father speak one word to me before I die."
The very next step he took of the ladder, his aged mother was standing nigh.
"Come here, come here, my aged mother, peak one word to me before I die."

The very next step he took of the ladder, his beloved sister was standing nigh.
"Come here, come here, my beloved sister, speak one word to me before I die."
He took a ring from his foremost finger and wrapped it up in a napkin fine.
"Take this, take this, my beloved sister and bear me constant all in your mind

"O, hang him high!" cried the bold High Sheriff with a noble clergyman standing by.
"I'll have you know, you bold persecutor that this young man is not fit to die.
I'll have you know you cannot hang him till his confession to me is done.
I'll have you know, you bold persecutor, there is fifteen minutes for the setting sun."

The very next step he took of the ladder his glowing colours began to fade.
He woefully sighed and most manly cried saying, "There's no relief from Derry's jail.
O where, O where is my true lover? What's keeping her so long from me?
Or does she think it is some great dishonour to see me die on the gallows tree?"

He looked around, he saw her coming. Her steed was faster than the wind.
She then dismounted from that noble gallant and was dressed up all in Holland fine.
"Come down, come down, my own true lover. I've brought your pardon all from the Queen.
I'll let them know they will not hang you. I'll crown you back in old Erin's green."