The Plains of Baltimore
Immigrants to Baltimore are celebrated in "The Plains of Baltimore." This old folk song is arranged for two-part choir with piano accompaniment by Dan Meyer.
Lyrics:
It’s of a rich merchant’s daughter, in London did reside.
She vowed and swore she loved me and wished to be my bride.
She knew the night I was going away, she wrung her hands and cried,
"O Willie are you going away for to leave your love behind?"
"This very night I am ready along with you to go,
If it’s even through the China seas or Greenland’s hills of snow.
I am ready to adventure with you while Atlantic billows roar,
And I’ll smile on fortune’s cruelties in the land of Baltimore."
It was early on the next morning, as the dawn did appear,
Our journey we pursued it, me and Eliza dear.
In silks my love was dressed, most rare to behold,
And in her belt her fortune took: ten thousand pounds in gold.
When we arrived in Belfast some hours before it was day,
My true love he got ready our passage for to pay.
We paid our passage from Belfast, bid adieu to the shamrock’s shore
And with a swift and gentle gale we sailed for Baltimore.
When we arrived in Baltimore we took up on some plains,
We cleared the timber from the land and soon we made it pay.
And now we drink both coffee and tea, both brandy, ale and wine,
And here’s success to old Ireland and the friends we left behind.
Now to conclude and finish, my pen will I lay down.
Here’s a health to all the goodhearted men through city or through town.
Here’s a health to all the goodhearted girls with riches and money in store,
May they prosper now we’ve finished on the plains of Baltimore.
Folk song arrangement © 2004, Daniel C. Meyer