The Streets of Derry
Love's Triumph in the Face of Fate
Lyrics
After the morning there comes an evening
After the morning, there is an evening, symbolizing the passage of time.
And after the evening another day
After the evening, another day comes, highlighting the cyclical nature of life.
And after a false love there comes a true love
After experiencing false love, true love follows, expressing hope and resilience.
I'd have you listen now to what I say
Encouragement to pay attention to the speaker's words about love and its consequences.
I swear my love is the finest young man
The speaker expresses deep affection for a young man, emphasizing his qualities.
As fair as any the sun shines on
Describing the young man as exceptionally fair and admirable.
But how to save him, I do not know it
The speaker acknowledges a challenge in saving the young man from impending doom.
For he has got a sentence to be hung
Revealing that the young man has received a death sentence.
As he was marching the streets of Derry
Describing the young man marching through the streets of Derry.
I own he marched up right manfully
Commending the young man for his upright and brave march.
Being much more like a commanding officer
Comparing the young man's demeanor to that of a commanding officer rather than a condemned person.
Than a man to die upon the gallows tree
Highlighting the contrast between the young man's bearing and his impending execution.
"What keeps my love so long in coming
The speaker wonders why their love is taking so long to arrive.
Oh what detains her so long from me
Questioning whether there is a reason for the delay, perhaps related to shame or scandal.
Or does she think it a shame or scandal
Considering the possibility that the lover finds it shameful to witness the speaker's execution.
To see me die upon the gallows tree"
Expressing concern about the perception of the imminent death on the gallows.
He looked around and he saw her coming
The speaker observes the lover approaching.
And she was dressed all in woolen fine
Describing the lover as elegantly dressed in fine wool.
The weary steed that my love was riding
Mentioning the horse the lover is riding, indicating its speed.
It flew more swiftly than the wind
Emphasizing the exceptional swiftness of the lover's steed.
Come down, come down from that cruel gallows
Requesting the lover to come down from the gallows, revealing a pardon from the king.
I've got your pardon from the king
Assuring the lover of the king's pardon and expressing confidence in preventing the execution.
And I'll let them see that they dare not hang you
Promising to show that no one dares to hang the lover and envisioning a positive outcome.
And I'll crown my love with a bunch of green
Anticipating a joyful resolution by mentioning the intention to crown the lover with a bunch of green.
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