Dé Danann were first to find her - see her web site www.mauraoconnell.com for more information.
Down by the Sally Gardens
Maura O'Connell Lyrics
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She passed the sally gardens with her little snow-white feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree;
But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree.
In a field by the river my love and I did stand,
And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white hand.
She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs;
Maura O'Connell's "Down By the Salley Gardens" tells the story of a young man and woman who meet in a romantic setting, only for the young man to make a foolish decision that leads to heartbreak. The song begins with the couple meeting down by the sally gardens, a reference to a type of willow tree. The woman passes by with her snow-white feet, suggesting purity and innocence. She advises the man to take love easy, encouraging him to be patient like the leaves on a tree that grow slowly over time. However, despite her wisdom, the young man rejects her advice.
Later, in a field by the river, the couple stands together with the woman's hand resting on the man's shoulder. Once again, she encourages him to take life easy, this time comparing it to the slow growth of grass on the weirs. Unfortunately, the young man remains foolish and fails to heed her advice. The song concludes on a melancholy note, with the man reflecting on his poor decisions and the tears they have caused.
Overall, "Down By the Salley Gardens" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that explores a universal theme of love and loss. It speaks to the fleeting nature of youth and the pain of regret for those who did not take the time to appreciate what they had.
Line by Line Meaning
Down by the sally gardens my love and I did meet;
My love and I met in a place with willow trees (sally gardens).
She passed the sally gardens with her little snow-white feet.
She walked away from the place where the willow trees are with her small, white feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree;
She advised me to be patient with love, like how leaves grow slowly on a tree.
But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree.
However, I did not listen to her advice because I was young and immature.
In a field by the river my love and I did stand,
We stood in a field by the river.
And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white hand.
She put her white hand on my shoulder.
She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs;
She suggested that I should not take life too seriously, like how grass grows carelessly on the river weirs.
But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears.
However, I was still foolish and did not listen, and now I regret it and am crying.
Lyrics © FEARLESS LIEDER
Written by: TOM KOCHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@prettylydia99
Down by the Salley Gardens my love and I did meet;
She passed the Salley Gardens with little snow-white feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree;
But I, being young and foolish, with her did not agree.
In a field by the river my love and I did stand,
And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white hand.
She bid me 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 Salley Gardens my love and I did meet;
She passed the Salley Gardens with little snow-white feet.
She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree;
But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree.
@rinasbookshelf6668
I'm Japanese student. Now I study Ireland culture, and finally I found out this videos. It moves my heart. I hope this song would sing forever and spread all over the world!!!!
@AB-nn4xo
インキャなフランス人 私はアイルランドと日本のハーフだけど父がこの曲を教えてくれました。いつまでも皆さんの中でこの曲が生きていますように。p.s. 日本の学生でアイルランドの文化を嗜み、尚且つインキャなフランス人ってカオスだねw
@seamuscos9186
@A B 僕も同じく日本とアイランドのハーフです。東京出身ですけれど現在Kerryに住んでいます! SMS 何か交換しませんか？w
@yusufaaron5238
Instablaster
@craft1ng_cl0ckw0rk
aww that's really sweet to hear. I'm glad you're enjoying our culture :) I used to be able to play this on the tin whistle
@MichaelDownesTipperary
Yes it is a great song written by an Irish poet called W.B.Yeats.
@Rikki0
This is the most beautiful and moving version of this song I have ever heard in my 71 years. Thank you so very much. Huzzah, from Texas.
@janstrelinger4076
Definitely Maura is the best
@photonomist6345
Agreed, and have heard many. Such a lovely song too.
@michealjones9863
@@janstrelinger4076Kate matison singing beside her . This is Maura,s song no doubt but Kate deserves a mention. Certainly the best version of this song in my opinion.