As I journeyed from Antrim, I lately came down
For to view that wee village they called Randalstown
Where the water runs clearly and everything’s nice
You would take it for Eden or some Paradise.

I jumped up on horseback a few miles to ride
‘Til I came to a cottage all on the road side
Says I to myself in that cottage might be
Some bonny wee lassie, my wife for to be.

I dismounted off horseback stepped aside and sat down
For to view that wee lassie to view her all round.
Her cheeks like two roses, her lips a cool red
And her eyes shone like diamonds as they rolled in her head.

Says I my wee lassie, will you come with me
To sweet Ballybullion, and married we’ll be
My friends and relations, on me they do frown
For they live in Kells water and sweet Randalstown.

Ballybullion’s a bonny place and it’s you I will bring
Where the lark and the laylark and the nightingale sing
Where the lark and the laylark they all sing so sweet
When they all join together they would sing you asleep.

The cuckoo’s a pretty bird and she sings as she flies
She brings us good tidings and tells us no lies
She drinks the moss water to keep her voice clear
And she only sings cuckoo at the spring of the year.