O woman, washing beside the river,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
My woeful wail, do you pity never?
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
A year ago I was snatched for ever,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
From my home to the hill where hawthorns quiver,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
Shoheen sho, ulolo,
Shoheen sho, strange baby O!
Shoheen sho, ulolo
You're not my own sweet baby O!
'Tis there the fairy-court is holden,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
And there flow beor and ale so olden,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
And there are combs of honey golden,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
And there lie men in bonds enfolden,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
Shoheen sho, ulolo,
Shooheen sho, strange baby O!
Shoheen sho,ulolo,
You're not my own sweet baby O!
How many are there of fairest faces,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
Bright-eyed boys with manly graces,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
Gold-haired girls with curling tresses,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
And mothers who nurse-with sad caresses,
Hush-a-by baby, babe not mine,
Shoheen sho, ulolo,
Shooheen sho, strange baby O!
You're not my own sweet baby O!