As I roved out one evening down by the river side Looking all around me an Irish girl I spied So red and rosy were her cheeks and yellow was her hair And costly were the robes of gold my Irish girl did wear The first time that I saw my love I was sick and feeling bad All that I could ask of her was that she might tie my head I asked her if one as bad as me could ever mind again For love is a sore disorder, did you ever feel the pain Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by My love she'll not come near me for all the moan I make Neither will she pity me though my poor heart should break But if I were of noble blood and she of a lower degree She'd hear my lamentation and come and pity for me Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by My only love is fairer than the lilies that do grow She has voice that's clearer than any wind that blows She's the promise of this country like Venus in the air So let her go wherever she will, she's my joy and only dear Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by And if I were a butterfly I'd light on my love's breast If I were a linnet I'd sing my love to rest And if I were some nightingale I'd sing till the morning clear For once I loved an Irish girl she's my joy and only dear Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by Let the wind blow high and low me boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by It is the seamen's duty the helm to stand by