[Verse 1]
As I went out walking one morning in June
I spied a fair damsel in the sweet summer bloom
Her cheeks they were rosy and her hair it fell down
And she came from the Blackwater near sweet Portadown

[Verse 2]
I stood in amazement as the breezes did blow
And the blood like a river through my veins did flow
Well I thought her the fairest in all Ireland around
That morning I met her near sweet Portadown

[Verse 3]
I says "My wee lassie, I don’t know your name?"
And quickly she answered "I’m afflicted the same"
Well I said "Mine's O’Connor, born first [?]"
And she says, "Mine's O’Driscoll from beside Portadown"

[Verse 4]
I excused myself kindly, I said "If you please
We will both take a ramble by the Blackwater breeze"
Well she said "You are kind sir, but I can’t go today
For I’m in search of young lambs that have strayed away"

[Verse 5]
I said "I'll go with you, in search of your flock"
As the sun it did dazzle on her sweet amber locks
Well we searched the whole day as the sun was going down
And at length we located them near sweet Portadown
[Verse 6]
As we journeyed on homewards, we sat down for to rest
As we watched the rock thrushes on the Blackwaters crest
Well I told her I loved her, and would she be my bride?
And we both would live happy by the Black-waterside

[Verse 7]
She says, "You are kind sir, but you must me excuse
For I am a poor girl and you must be refused
I work hard for my living, the whole year around
And besides I would never leave sweet Portadown"

[Verse 8]
"I would never expect you leave the land of your birth
For I think it the grandest and the fairest on earth
But if you’ll consent for to be my fond bride
We both would live happy by the Black-waterside"

[Verse 9]
We went to her parents, they considered awhile
Her mother looked on me and said she with a smile
"If Flora consents, sure we’ll consent too"
And married we were on the 18th of June

[Verse 10]
So come all ye young maidens, assemble tonight
And marry your first love, even though at first sight
Don’t marry for riches or fame or renown
For we're living happy in sweet Portadown