Once there was a young girl
From Ireland’s west she came
Born and raised in Athenry
Maryrose was her name

She grew up with her family
And in the fields she played
No work was there for Father dear
So to Manchester they sailed

Tooralooraloora Tooralooralye
Maryrose from Ireland
From a place called Athenry    

One day out with her girlfriends
At the ice rink she did meet
A handsome Arab stranger
Who swept her off her feet

The 18 year old Mary
With dreams of life ahead
Accepted his proposal
In September they were wed

Tooralooraloora Tooralooralye
Maryrose from Ireland
From a place called Athenry

They started their own family
Niel and Sandra did arrive
‘No more’ she swore, but love won o’er
And Rachel made them five

Three children was not easy
Her words were sometimes sharp
She was always there for those in need
With the kindness of her heart

Tooralooraloora Tooralooralye
Maryrose from Ireland
From a place called Athenry

When her children left the nest
She found her days were long
She started up the clarinet
And filled her life with song

Her talent didn’t stop there
She taught herself to paint
And now she is an artist
Of landscapes dark and quaint

Tooralooraloora Tooralooralye
Maryrose from Ireland
From a place called Athenry

Its 70 years ago today
That Maryrose was born
Far away from Gosport
On a February morn

Still Sweetheart to her husband
Dear Mother to her three
Gran’ma to Ben and Becky
But To the lads she is Big G

Tooralooraloora Tooralooralye
Maryrose from Ireland
From a place called Athenry

20^th February 2012