Johnny was born in a mansion, down in the county of Clare
Rosie was born by the road side, somewhere in county Kildare
Destiny brought them together on the road to Kilorglin one day
Neath her bright paisley shawl she was singing, and she stole his young heart away
For she sang

Chorus
Meet me tonight by the camp fire, come with me over the hill
Let us be married tomorrow, please let me whisper I will
What if the neighbours are talking, who cares if your friends stop and stare
You'd be proud to be married to Rosie, who was rared on the roads of Kildare

Think of the parents that rared you, think of the family name
How can you marry a gypsy, oh what a terrible shame
Parents and friend stop your pleading, don't worry about my affairs
For I've fallen in love with a gypsy, who was rared on the roads of Kildare

Johnny came down from his mountain, just as the sun had gone down
Turning his back on his kinfolk, likewise his dear native town
Facing the roads of old Ireland, with the gypsy he loved so sincere
When he came to the light of the camp fire, these are the words he did hear

Regards
Mick Bracken