- Kellswater

The Irish Rovers were the first to record this song. Will Millar explains that Kellswater is a small village 2 miles out of Ballymena. Kellswater was the "party piece" of his grannie, Liza Jane Millar. Her and his granda would sing duets, their other big song was "If I were a blackbird." (his uncle would add "Ye'd hae feathers on yer arse" and then break into great gales of laughter and the stupid remark)

Track 3 of The Wild Bird's Nest (2006)

Here's a health to you, bonnie Kellswater
For it's there you'll find the pleasures of life
It's there you'll find the fishing and the fouling
And a bonnie wee girl for your wife.

On the hills and the glens and low valleys
Grows the softest of linen so fine
And the flowers are all dripping with honey
There lives Martha, a true love of mine.

Now Martha, you're the first girl I’ve courted
You're the one set my heart in a snare
And if ever I should lose you to another
I will leave my Kellswater so fair.

For this one and that one may court her
But no other can take her from me
For I love her as I love my Kellswater
Like the primrose is loved by the bee.

Here's a health to you, bonnie Kellswater
For it's there you'll find the pleasures of life
It's there you'll find the fishing and the fouling
And a bonnie wee girl for your wife.

Traditional, arranged by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN)