Eileen Aroon (an Irish song) Eibhlín a Rún
(Irish by Carrol O'Daly, English by Gerald Griffin)

I knew a valley fair, Eileen Aroon.
I knew a cottage there, Eileen Aroon.
Far in the valley's shade,
I knew a tender maid,
flower of the hazel glade, Eileen Aroon.

Who in the song so sweet? Eileen Aroon.
Who in the dance so fleet? Eileen Aroon.
Dear were her charms to me,
dearer her laughter free,
dearest her constancy, Eileen Aroon.

When like the early rose, Eileen Aroon,
beauty in childhood blows, Eileen Aroon,
when, like a diadem,
buds blush around the stem,
which is the fairest gem? Eileen Aroon.

Is it the laughing eye? Eileen Aroon.
Is it the timid sigh? Eileen Aroon.
Is it the tender tone,
soft as the string'd harp's moan?
Oh, it is truth alone! Eileen Aroon.

When like the rising day, Eileen Aroon,
love sends his early ray, Eileen Aroon,
what makes his dawning glow,
changeless through joy or woe?
Only the constant know, Eileen Aroon.

Were she no longer true, Eileen Aroon,
what would her lover do? Eileen Aroon.
Fly with a broken chain,
far o'er the sounding main,
never to love again, Eileen Aroon.

Youth must in time decay, Eileen Aroon.
Beauty will fade away, Eileen Aroon.
Castles are sacked in war,
chieftains are scattered far,
truth is a fixed star, Eileen Aroon.

Dutch version of Eileen Aroon
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