Bonny Bonny - Lyrics - Cara Dillon

Cara Elizabeth Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 1995, she joined folk group Equation and signed a record deal with Warners Music Group. She collaborated with Sam Lakeman under the name Polar Star. In 2001, she released her first solo album titled Cara Dillon. The album contained traditional songs and original Dillon Lakeman songs "Blue Mountain River" and "I Wish I Was". The opening track of the album is "Black is the Colour".

Bonny, bonny was my seat in the red rosy yard And bonny was my ship in the town of Ballynagard Shade and shelter was for me till I began to fail You all may guess now my distress lies near the Nightingale Grief and woe that I must go to fight for England's King I neither know his friend or foe, and war's a cruel thing The nightingale is near at hand, my time at home is brief And Carey's steams and mountain land I part with bitter grief No more I'll walk the golden hills with Nancy by my side Or dream along the sun bright rills, or view my land with pride We sail away at dawn of day, the sails are ready set When old Benmore I see no more, I'll sigh with deep regret Now all must change and I must range across the ocean wide Our ship she may in Biscay's Bay lie low beneath the tide If I should fall by cannon ball, or sink beneath the sea Good people all, a tear let fall and mourn for mine and me If God should spare me my greying hair and bring me back again I'd love far more my Antrim shore, its dark blue hills and rain Around the fires, my heart's desires, heaven grant till life shall fail And keep me far from the cruel war and from the Nightingale