There's a River flows in County Down
from the mountains to the sea
Along its banks the wild flower grows
and the ivy climbs the tree.
Where lovers meet and talk so sweet,
and Cupid fires his bow.
For many a true-love knot was tied,
where the Shimna Waters flow.

Many bridges span this river,
the IVY, OLD and NEW,
PARNELLS, the TOWER and FOLEYS,
to mention just a few.
They say the fairies danced on them with
their little lights aglow.
You could hear the beat of their tiny feet,
where the Shimna Waters flow.

You can take the road to Bryansford,
past the gates of Tollymore,
See the beauty of the village,
as I've seen it years before.
The passing by those wooded slopes
where the pine and larch does grow.
Down through the valley of Slievemann,
the Shimna Waters flow.

You can visit that old homestead
or the place it used to be
Where we played there all together
at the foot of the old ash tree.
Or by the Holly Bush to Skillens,
past the opening that is slow
Reliving all sweet memories,
where the Shimna Waters flow.

Then back by Slyvan Tollymore,
through heather over stile,
Until you come to Nassau's Bridge,
it's there you rest awhile.
By primrose banks to My Lady's Road,
where you walked there long ago.
Down by the mill that now is still,
where the Shimna Waters flow.

Oh! for the dances in Tollymore,
where gentle feet did tread,
and the music from the ballroom came,
amidst the scent of roses red.
And oh! that waltz so beautiful
with the notes so soft and low,
was wafted on the night breeze
where the Shimna Waters flows.

And in this Park the Roden Home,
where the eagle used to soar,
But now the house has tumbled down
and the Blue Lady haunts no more.
Beneath the oak and copper beech
the stag hid from his foe
For the huntsman with his hounds did ride,
where the Shimna Waters flow.

But now it's time to say goodbye
for just a little while
for I'll be back some other day
to cover every mile
All made by the Great Designer
like the four winds that do blow
May God be with those living
WHERE THE SHIMNA WATERS FLOW.

Return to George Hanna's Tollymore