It was early one morning Willie Lennox arose And straight to his cousin's bed chamber he goes Saying, "Arise, lovely cousin, and let no one know 'Tis a fine summer's morning, to the lakes let us go" As Willie and his cousin when down the long lane They met Sargent Henry and Colonel Ronayne Said the Colonel, "Do not enter, do not venture in For there's deep and false waters in Lough Inshollin" But Willie, being stout-hearted, it's in he did go He swam to an island which was his overthrow He swam it twice over and was turning around And in a few minutes Willie Lennox was drowned Small boats, they were lowered, long lines were let down
And in a few minutes Willie Lennox was found There was an old woman being there standing by She ran to his mother and this she did cry "Sad news I have for you which grieves my heart sore For your own darling Willie, his name is no more" And as for Willie's true love who mourns night and day For the loss of her true love who lies cold in the clay For both morning and evening he did her salute With the pink and red roses and all garden fruit All gathered together and stood in a ring While the orange and purple around them did hang They all whispered lowly and raised up their hands Saying, "Boys, while you're living, beware of the Bann"