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I Know My Love
The Corrs Lyrics


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I know my love by his way of walking
And I know my love by his way of talking
And I know my love dressed in a suit of blue
And if my love leaves me what will I do...

And still she cried, "I love him the best
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
And if my love leaves me what will I do"

There is a dance house in Maradyke
And there my true love goes every night
He takes a strange girl upon his knee
Well now don't you think that that vexes me?

And still she cried, "I love him the best
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
And if my love leaves me what will I do"

If my love knew I can wash and wring
If my love knew I can sew and spin
I'd make a coat of the finest kind
But the want of money sure leaves me behind

And still she cried, "I love him the best
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
And if my love leaves me what will I do"

I know my love is an arrant rover
I know he'll wander the wild world over
In dear old Ireland he'll no longer tarry
An American girl he's sure to marry

And still she cried, "I love him the best
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
And if my love leaves me what will I do"

And still she cried, "I love him the best
And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
And if my love leaves me what will I do"

What will I do...

Overall Meaning

The song "I Know My Love" by The Corrs feat. The Chieftains is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a woman's love for a man who she believes is her soulmate, but who often leaves her feeling uncertain and anxious about the future of their relationship. The first verse focuses on the woman's ability to recognize her lover by his distinct characteristics, including his gait and his voice. She also mentions his attire, which is described as a suit of blue. However, the woman is plagued with anxiety and the fear of losing her love, which is why she asks the question "And if my love leaves me what will I do?" throughout the song.


The second verse details the woman's despair over the lack of eligible bachelors and how she cannot imagine being happy with anyone else. She also mentions a dance house in Maradyke, where she believes her lover goes every night and takes other women on his knee. This thought makes her tremendously jealous and upset.


The final verse explores the woman's willingness to do anything for her love, including performing household tasks and creating beautiful garments for him. However, she is hindered by her lack of funds and resources. The last line of the song suggests that the woman knows her lover is an adventurer who will likely wander the world and potentially marry someone else, but she still loves him deeply and cannot help but worry about his leaving.


Overall, the song highlights the complexities of love and the deep emotional attachment that can often cause pain and suffering. While the lyrics are centuries old, the sentiment they express is timeless and relatable.


Line by Line Meaning

I know my love by his way of walking
I can recognize my love just by the way he walks


And I know my love by his way of talking
I can recognize my love just by the way he talks


And I know my love dressed in a suit of blue
I can recognize my love when he wears a blue suit


And if my love leaves me what will I do...
What will I do if my love leaves me?


And still she cried, "I love him the best
Despite everything, she still loves him the most


And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
She cannot find peace due to her thoughts


And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
There are few handsome boys around


And if my love leaves me what will I do"
What will she do if her love leaves her?


There is a dance house in Maradyke
There is a dancing venue in Maradyke


And there my true love goes every night
Her lover goes there every night


He takes a strange girl upon his knee
He dances with another girl


Well now don't you think that that vexes me?
That bothers her a lot


If my love knew I can wash and wring
If my love knew that I can do household chores


If my love knew I can sew and spin
If my love knew that I can sew and spin


I'd make a coat of the finest kind
She would make him a high-quality coat


But the want of money sure leaves me behind
But she doesn't have enough money to do it


I know my love is an arrant rover
She knows that her love is a wanderer


I know he'll wander the wild world over
She knows that he will continue traveling the world


In dear old Ireland he'll no longer tarry
He will not stay in Ireland for long


An American girl he's sure to marry
He is likely to marry an American girl


And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
There are few handsome boys around


And if my love leaves me what will I do"
What will she do if her love leaves her?


And still she cried, "I love him the best
Despite everything, she still loves him the most


And a troubled mind sure can know no rest"
She cannot find peace due to her thoughts


And still she cried, "Bonny boys are few
There are few handsome boys around


And if my love leaves me what will I do"
What will she do if her love leaves her?


What will I do...
What will she do if her love leaves her?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PADDY MOLONEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bugler75

Hi there. I have often searched for the history of Irish folk music (I’m from Ulster and a traditional musician).
To be honest I haven’t given this song a lot of attention ( I have made a cursory search!) but I haven’t found a lot of history despite some searching. This version does date back to the early 20th century though so it probably does date back further if you take the route of other Irish songs and the use of older English words (“tarry”, “vexes me?”).
Sorry I can’t answer your question positively!
To note is that older versions sing “an English girl he is sure to marry” rather than “an American girl…”. This change is more “politically correct” for the 20 th century.


Ultimately, I play and enjoy it as is.
It is lovely.

From an Ulster-man
Ian

Edit: I’ve had a few beers after a great night in the pub in France thanks to St Patrick!



All comments from YouTube:

@guitaro5000

I'm not sure if you're talking about composition talent or performing talent. I'll have to say Aguilera really really had pipes.

@educasado

I was barely19 when this cover was released and I remember I watched this video again and again, as I was desperately in love with Andrea Corr

@paulsweeney2215

This is the best version of this song I've heard to date. The singing is crystal clear, and combined with the backing of the chieftains, it's a perfect match.

@rogueriderhood1862

Wonderful version, love the Corrs and the Chieftans!

@SilentRuth10

And people wonder why I love Irish music so much... :D Music is my SOUL, people!

@seandoyle7844

That's how it should be done, great work..

@macsteed01

This is simply my favourite video of the Corrs. The singing the music and the ladies are perfect. Andrea shows her potential acting talent. The chieftains are remarkable as usual.

@TheOBOM

If this doesn't make you happy, nothing will!

@sandeepsreehari5028

Nobody has any idea for how long I've been looking for this song.... when I was 2 yesterday old... I was living in Chicago, there, my dad bought a cassette and this was the song, now after over 20 long years, the tune still used to ring in my mind, I tried and tried by couldn't find it, I tried midomi, Siri etc... was almost depressed and then, like a miracle I found this video on YouTube... amazing song, I just love the chords and her voice !!!

@nitewatchman1576

I put it on loop all night............ yes!

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