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The Lakes of Coolfin lyrics

Barleycorn

It was early one mornin' young Willie arose
And off to his comrade's bed chamber did go
Sayin', “Arise dearest comrades! Let nobody know
It's a fine summer's mornin' and a bathin' we'll go!”

Young Willie plunged in and he swam the lake round
'Till he came to an island of soft marshy ground
Crying, “Comrades dearest comrades, do not venture in!
For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin”

Well early next morning Willie's sister arose
And onto her mother's bedchamber did go 
Sayin', “I had a sad dream 'bout Willie last night.
He was clad in a shroud, In a shroud of snow white”

Well later that evening Willie's mother stood there
She was ringing her fingers and tearing her hair
An eye which she gazed where Willie plunged in
For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin

Well I saw a fair maid standing fast by the shore
Her face it was sad she was crying for sure
Sayin', “Woe to the hour young Willie plunged in
For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin”

Song Details

Lakes Of Coolfin

Author: Traditional ~ mid 1800's

Brief: A tragic story relating to the death of a young young man named Willie Leonard who drowns while swimming in the lake with his friends.

Other Titles: The song is also known as The Ballad of Willie Leonard or The Lakes of Shilin.

References:
comrade - friend, colleague, or ally.

Category: Irish Folk Song

Covers: The Grehan Sisters, Susan McCann, Charlie And The Bhoys, Finnegan's Wake, Tom Lenihan, Niamh Parsons...

Album: A Song For Ireland (Sept 4, 1985)

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