A traditional song from Cork, well-known as part of The Dubliners' repertoire. The "Holy Ground" is a quarter of Cobh which was inhabited mainly by fisherman. The tune was popular on the docks of Cork and Cobh as well as on the ships.



Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah,
a thousand times adieu.
We are saying goodbye to the Holy Ground
and the girls we all love true
We will sail the salt seas over
and then return once more,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!

Chorus:
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!

Now when we're out a-sailing
and you are far behind
Fine letters will I write to you
with the secrets of my mind,
The secrets of my mind, my girl,
you're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!

Chorus

And now the storm is raging
and we are far from shore;
The good old ship she is tossing about
and the rigging is all torn
The secret of my mind my girl,
is the girls I do adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!

Chorus

And now the storm is over
and we are safe on shore
We'll drink a toast to the Holy Ground
and the girls that we adore.
We'll drink strong ale and porter
we'll make the rafters roar
And when our money is all spent
we'll go to sea once more.
Fine girl you are!

Chorus