WHEN YOU AND I WERE YOUNG, MAGGIE
I wandered today to the hill, Maggie,
To watch the scene below,
The creek and the old rusty mill, Maggie,
Where we sat in the long, long ago.
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie
Where first the daisies sprung,
The old rusty mill is still, Maggie,
Since you and I were young.
A city so silent and lone, Maggie,
Where the young and the gay and the best,
In polish'd white mansions of stone, Maggie,
Have each found a place of rest,
Is built where the birds used to play, Maggie,
And join in the songs that were sung,
For we sang just as gay as they, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
They say I am feeble with age, Maggie,
My steps are less sprightly than then,
My face is a well-written page, Maggie,
But time alone was the pen.
They say we are ag'd and grey, Maggie,
As spray in the white breakers flung,
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
And now we are aged and grey, Maggie,
The trials of life nearly done,
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie,
When you and I were young.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE WEST'S AWAKE
When all beside a vigil keep,
The west's asleep, the west's asleep.
Alas, and well may Erin weep,
That Connaught lies in slumber deep.
There lake and plain smile fair and free,
'Mid rocks their guardian chivalry,
Sing oh let man learn liberty,
From crashing wind and lashing sea.
That chainless wave and lovely land,
Freedom and Nationhood demand.
Be sure the great God never planned
For slumbering slaves a home so grand.
And long a proud and haughty race
Honoured and sentinelled the place.
Sing oh not even their sons' disgrace
Can quite destroy their glory's trace.
For often in O'Connor's van,
To triumph dashed each Connaught clan
And fleet as deer the Normans ran
Through Curlew's Pass and Ardrahan.
And later times saw deeds as brave,
And glory guards Clanricarde's grave,
Sing oh they died their land to save,
At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave.
And if when all a vigil keep,
The west's asleep, the west's asleep.
Alas and well may Erin weep,
That Connaught lies in slumber deep.
But hark, a voice like thunder spake,
The west's awake, the west's awake.
Sing oh hurrah, let England quake
We'll watch till death for Erin's sake.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE SNOWY-BREASTED PEARL
There's a colleen fair as may
For a year and for a day,
I have sought by ev'ry way her heart to gain.
There's no art of tongue or eye.
Fond youths with maidens try,
But I've tried with ceaseless sigh yet tried in vain.
It to France of far-off Spain
She'd cross the wat'ry main.
To see her face again the seas I'd brave.
And if "tis heav'ns decree
That mine she may not be.
May the son of Mary me in mercy save.
Oh, thou blooming milk-white dove
To whom I've given my love,
Do not ever thus reprove my constancy.
There are maidens would be mine
With wealth in land and kine,
If my heart would but incline to turn from thee.
But a kiss with welcome bland
And touch of thy fair hand,
Is all that I demand, would'st thou not spurn.
For if not mine, dear girl,
Oh, snowy-breasted pearl,
May I never from the fair with life return.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE RISING OF THE MOON
Oh then tell me Sean O' Farrell tell me why you hurry
So, hush-a buachaill hush and listen and his cheeks
were all a glow.
I bear orders from the captain get you ready quick and
soon
for the pikes must be together at the rising of the
moon.
Oh then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gath'rin
is to be?
In the old spot by the river well known to you and me
One word more for signal token, whistle up the marchin'
tune
With your pike upon your shoulder, by the risin' of
the moon
Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching throught
that night
Many a manly heart was throbbing for the blessed warning
light
Murmurs passed along the valleys, like the banshee's
lonely croon
And a thousand blades were flashing at the risin' of
the moon.
There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men
were seen
Far above the shining weapons hung their own beloved
green
Death to every foe and traitor! Forward! strike the
marching tune
And hurrah, my boys, for freedom, 'tis the risin' of
the moon.
Well they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter
was their fate
O, what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of
Ninety-Eight!
Yet, thank God, e'en still are beating hearts in manhood's
burning noon,
Who would follow in their footsteps at the rising of
the moon
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE OLD RUSTIC BRIDGE BY THE
MILL
I'm thinking tonight of the old rustic bridge
That bends o'er the murmuring stream.
'Twas there Maggie dear, with our hearts full of cheer,
We strayed 'neath the moon's gentle gleam.
'Twas there I first met you, the light of your eyes,
Awoke in my heart a sweet thrill.
Though now far away, still my thoughts fondly stray,
To the old rustic bridge by the mill.
CHORUS
Beneath it a stream gently rippled.
Around it the birds loved to thrill
Though now far away still my thoughts fondly stray
To the old rustic bridge by the mill.
How often, dear Maggie, when years passed away,
And we plighted lovers became;
We rambled the path to the bridge, day by day,
The smiles of each other to claim.
But one day we parted in pain and regret,
Our vows then we could not fulfil;
Oh, may we soon meet and our fond love repeat,
On the old rustic bridge by the mill.
I keep in my mem'ry the love of the past,
With me 'tis as bright as of old;
For deep in my heart it was planted to last,
In absence it never grows cold.
I think of you darling, when lonely at night,
And when all is peaceful and still;
My heart wanders back in a dream of delight,
To the old rustic bridge by the mill.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE
Oh Mary this London's a wonderful sight,
With the people here working by day and by night,
They don't sow potatoes nor barley nor wheat,
But there's gangs of them digging for gold in the street.
At least when I asked them that's what I was told,
So I just took a hand at this digging for gold.
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I believe that when writing a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies of London were dressed.
Well if you believe me, when asked to a ball,
They don't wear a top to their dresses at all.
Oh, I've seen them myself, and you couldn't in truth
Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath.
Don't be starting them fashions now Mary Macree
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
I've seen England's king from the top of a bus -
I never knew him, though he means to know us;
And though by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered - God forgive me- I cheered with the
rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore,
We'll be much better friends than we've been hereofore.
When we've got all we want we're as quiet as can be,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
You remember young peter O'Loughlin of course -
Well now he is here at the head of the force.
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand,
And he stopped the whole street with one wave of his
hand.
And there we stood talking of days that are gone,
While the whole population of London looked on;
But for all these great powers he's wishful, like me,
To be back where dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.
There's beautiful girls here - oh, never you mind
With beautiful shapes Nature never designed.
And lovely complexions, all roses and cream
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same,
That if at those roses you venture to sip,
The colours might all come away on your lip;
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waiting for me,
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER
'Tis the last rose of Summer left blooming all alone.
All her lovely companions are faded and gone.
No flower of her kindred, no rose bud is neigh,
to reflect back her blushes and give sigh for sigh.
I'll not leave thee, thou lone one! to pine on the stem
Since the lovely are sleeping, go sleep thou with them
Thus kindly I scatter thy leaves o'er the bed
Where thy mates of the garden lie scentless and dead.
So soon may I follow, when friendships decay
And from love's shining circle the gems drop away
When true hearts lie wither'd and fond ones are flown
Oh! who would inhabit this bleak world alone!
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
LOVE THEE, DEAREST
Love thee, dearest, love thee?
Yes! that star is not more fair,
That thro' clouds above thee,
Shines more sadly there!
Tho' too oft dim, with tears like him
Like him my truth may shine
But love thee dearest, love thee?
Yes ! till death I'm thine.
Leave, thee, dearest, leave thee?
No! that star is not more true,
When my vows deceive thee,
He will wander too!
A cloud of night may veil his light,
And death may darken mine,
But leave thee dearest, leave thee?
No ! till death I'm thine!
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
LOVE IS PLEASING
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain,
I wish I was a youth again,
But a youth again I will never be,
'Till apples grow on an ivy tree.
Oh, love is pleasin' and love is teasin'
And love is a pleasure when first it's new
But as it grows older, sure the love grows colder,
And it fades away like the morning dew.
I left my father, I left my mother,
I left all my brothers and sisters too.
I left all my friends and my own relations,
I left them all for to follow you.
But the sweetest apple is the soonest rotten,
And the heart of love is the soonest cold,
And what can't be cured love, has to be endured, love.
And now I am bound for America.
And love and porter make a young man older,
And love and whiskey make him old and grey.
And what can't be cured love, must be endured , love,
And now I am bound for America.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN KATHLEEN
I'll take you home again, Kathleen,
Across the ocean wild and wide,
To where your heart has ever been,
Since you were first my bonnie bride.
The roses all have left your cheek,
I've watched them fade away and die
Your voice is sad whene'er you speak,
And tears bedim your loving eyes.
CHORUS
Oh I will take you back, Kathleen,
To where your heart will feel no pain,
And when the fields are fresh and green,
I will take you to your home again.
I know you love me, Kathleen dear,
Your heart was ever fond and true.
I always feel when you are near
That life holds nothing dear, but you.
The smiles that once you gave to me,
I scarcely ever see them now.
Though many, many times I see,
A darkening shadows on your brow.
Chorus
To that dear home beyond the sea
My Kathleen shall again return.
And when thy old friends welcome thee,
Thy loving heart will cease to yearn.
Where laughs the little silver stream,
Beside your mother's humble cot,
And brightest rays of sunshine gleam,
There all your grief wlll be forgot.
Chorus
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING
I know where I'm going
And I know who's going with me,
I know who I love,
But the dear knows who I'll marry
.
I'll have stockings of silk,
Shoes of fine green leather,
Combs to buckle my hair
And a ring on every finger.
Feather beds are soft
Painted rooms are bonny.
But I'd leave them all
To go with my love Johnny.
Some say he is dark
I say he is bonny,
But flower of them all
Is my handsome, coaxing Johnny.
I know where I'm going
I know who's going with me,
I know who I love,
But the dear knows who I'll marry.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
I'M SITTING ON THE STILE
I'm, sitting on the stile Mary
Where we sat side by side.
On a bright May morning long ago
when first you were my bride.
The corn was springing fresh and green
And the lark sang loud and high.
And the red was on your lip Mary
And the love light in your eye.
The place is little changed Mary,
The day as bright as then.
The lark's loud song is in my ear
And the corn is green again.
But I miss the soft clasp of your hand
And the breath warm on my cheek.
And I still keep listening to the words
You never more may speak
I'm very lonely now Mary
For the poor make no new friends.
But oh they love them better still
The few our father sends.
And you were all I had Mary
My blessing and my pride.
There's nothing else to care for now
Since my poor Mary died.
I'm bidding you a long farewell
My Mary kind and true
But I'll not forget you darlin'
In the land I am going to.
They say there's bread and work for all
And the sun shines always there.
But I'll ne'er forget old Ireland
Were it fifty times as fair.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
CONNEMARA CRADLE SONG
On wings of the wind, o'er the dark rolling deep.
Angels are coming to watch o'er thy sleep
Angels are coming to watch over thee,
So list to the wind coming over the sea.
CHORUS
Hear the wlnd blow love, hear the wind blow,
Lean your head over, and hear the wind blow.
Oh, winds of the night, may your fury be crossed,
May no one that's dear to our island be lost,
Blow the wind lightly, calm be the foam.
Shine the light brightly to guide them home.
Chorus
The Currachs are sailing way out in the blue,
Laden with herring of silvery hue,
Silver the herring and silver the sea,
And soon they'll be silver for baby and me.
The Currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore,
And daddy goes sailing, a-sailing no more,
The nets will be drying, the nets heaven blessed,
And safe in my arms dear, contented he'll rest.
Chorus
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
BELIEVE ME IF ALL THOSE ENDEARING
YOUNG CHARMS
Believe me if all those enduring young charms
That I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms,
Like fairygifts fading away.
Thou would still be adored as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart,
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It's not while beauty and youth are thine own
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known
To which time will but make thee more dear.
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets
But as truly loves on to the close.
As the sun-flower turns on her God when he sets
The same look which she turned when he rose.
Mystical
Ireland - Twilight
THE ROSE OF MOONCOIN
How sweet 'tis to roam by the sunny Suir stream
And hear the dove coo 'neath the morning sunbeam.
Where the thrush and the robin their sweet notes entwine,
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
CHORUS
Flow on lovely river, flow gently along,
By your waters so sweet sounds the lark's merry song.
On your green banks I'll wander where first I did join,
With you lovely Molly, the Rose of Mooncoin.
Oh Molly, dear Molly, it breaks my fond heart
To know that we two for ever must part.
I'll think of you, Molly, while sun and moon shine
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Chorus
She has sailed far away o'er the dark rolling foam
Far away from the hills of her dear Irish home
Where the fisherman sports with his small boat and line,
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Chorus
Then here's to the Suir with its valleys so fair
As oft' times we wandered in the cool morning air
Where the roses are blooming and lilies entwine
On the banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.
Chorus
Mystical Ireland - Twilight
THE WESTS AWAKE
When all beside a vigil keep the West's asleep the wests
asleep
Alas and well may Erin weep when Connacht lies in slumber
deep
There lake and plain smile fair and free mid rocks their
guardian chivalry sing,
Oh let man learn liberty from crashing winds and lashing
sea.
That chainless wave and lovely land; freedom and Nationhood
demand
Be sure the great God never planned; for slumb'ring
slaves a home so grand
And long a brave and haughty race; honoured and sentinelled
the place
Sing, Oh! not even their sons' disgrace; can quite destroy
their glory's trace.
For often in O'Connor's van; to triumph dashed each
Connaught clan
And fleet as dear the Normans ran; Thro' Curlieu's Pass
and Ardahan
And later times saw deeds as brave; And glory guards
Clanicarde's grave
Sing, Oh! they died their land to save; At Aughrim's
slopes and Shannon's wave.
Mystical Ireland - Twilight
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