Audio Samples

Down by the Salley Gardens (Gort na Sailean)

This 1889 poem by William Butler Yeats was set to the tune "The Maids of the Mourne Shore" by Herbert Hughes.  A beautiful Irish ballad, it is often requested for Irish weddings, christenings, and funerals.

This piece can be played on pedal harp or lever harp.

Lyrics

It was down by the Sally Gardens, my love and I did meet.
She crossed the Sally Gardens, with little snow-white feet.
She bid me to take life easy, as the leaves grow on the tree,
But I was young and foolish, and with her I did not agree.

In a field down by the river, my love and I did stand
And upon my leaning shoulder, she laid her snow-white hand.
She bid me to take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs,
But I was young and foolish, and now I am full of tears.

Down by the Sally Gardens, my love and I did meet.
She crossed the Sally Gardens with little snow-white feet.
She bid me to take life easy, as the leaves blow on the tree,
But I was young and foolish, and with her I did not agree.