The Irish Emigrant
I'm sitting on the stile, Mary, where we once
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 lips, Mary, and the
love light in your eyes.
 Tis but a step down yonder lane, the
village Church stands near
 The place where we were wed, Mary, I can see
the spire from here
 But the graveyard lies between, Mary, and
my step might break your rest
 Where I laid you darling down to sleep with
a baby on your breast.
  I'm very lonely now, Mary, for the poor
make no new friends
 But oh they love the better still the few
our Father sends
 For you were all I had, Mary, my blessing
and my pride
 And I've nothing left to care for now since
my poor Mary died.
  Yours was the good brave heart, Mary,
that still kept hoping on
 When the trust in God had left my soul and
my arms young strength had gone
 There was comfort ever on your lip and a kind
look on your brow
 And I thank you Mary for the same though you
cannot hear me now.
  I'm bidding you a long farewell, my Mary
kind and true
 But I'll not forget you, darling, in the land
I'm 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.
  And often in those grand old woods I'll
sit and shut my eyes
 And my heart will wander back again to the
place where Mary lies
 And I think I'll see that little stile where
we sat side by side
 In the springing corn and the bright May morn'
when first you were my bride.  |