Submit a tab

The Star of the County Down

by Irish Rovers · harmonica tab for C diatonic harmonica

BeginnerNo bends109 notesHoles 2–9Diatonic

This tab may have a few mistakes (melody jumps around implausibly). If a line sounds wrong, tell us which one.

Next note
 

This plays the notes in order so you can hear how the tune goes. Tabs don’t record rhythm, so for the timing, listen to the original on YouTube. Tap any note in the tab to start from there.

The tab

4 = blow hole 4-4 = draw hole 4’ = bend
Near to Banbridge town in the County Down on
a mo r ning i n July.
Down a Bo reen green came a sweet Colleen and she
smiled as she passed me by
She looked so neat from her two white feet to
the sheen of her nut brow n hair
Such a coax in elf I'd to shake my self to make
sure I was really there
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and from Galway
to Dub li n town
No o maid I've seen like the sweet Colleen that I
met in the County Down
Show the tab as it was submitted
2     3 -6  -6    -6   3  -6   7  7  -8    7     
Near to Banbridge town in the County Down on
-8  8 -8  7   -6 3  2 3
 a mo  r ning  i n July.
7   -7 -6 -6   -6     3  -6 7     7 -8     7  -8
Down a Bo reen green came a sweet Colleen and she
8      -8  7   -6    -6 -6
smiled as she passed me by
8   9      8  8    -8    7  -8  -8     -8  7
She looked so neat from her two white feet to
-8    8   -8  7  -6   3   2  3
the sheen of her nut brow n hair
7   -7 -6   -6  -6  3  -6  7    7  -8   7   -8
Such a coax in elf I'd to shake my self to make
8   -8  7   -6 -6 -6
sure I was really there
8     9  8   8  -8 7  -8 -8  -8  7    -8   8 -8
From Bantry Bay up to Derry quay and from Galway
7  -6  3  2  3
to Dub li n town
7 -7 -6    -6  -6    3   -6   7    7  -8   7   -8
No o maid I've seen like the sweet Colleen that I
8   -8  7  -6 -6  -6
met in the County Down


As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
He smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown.
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the star of the County Down."

Chorus

I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down.

Chorus

At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.

Chorus