John Keegan Casey

Maire, My Girl.

                    Over the dim blue hills

                        Strays a wild river,

                    Over the dim blue hills

                        Rests my heart ever.

                    Dearer and brighter than

                        Jewels and pearl,

                    Dwells she in beauty there,

                        Maire, my girl.

                    Down upon Claris heath

                        Shines the soft berry,

                    On the brown harvest tree

                        Droops the red cherry.

                    Sweeter thy honey lips,

                        Softer the curl

                    Straying adown thy cheeks,

                        Maire, my girl.

                    'Twas on an April eve

                        That I first met her;

                    Many an eve shall pass

                        Ere I forget her.

                    Since, my young heart has been

                        Wrapped in a whirl,

                    Thinking and dreaming of

                        Maire, my girl.

                    She is too kind and fond

                        Ever to grieve me,

                    She has too pure a heart

                        E'er to deceive me.

                    Were I Tryconnell's chief

                        Or Desmond's earl,

                    Life would be dark, wanting

                        Maire, my girl!

                    Over the dim blue hills

                        Strays a wild river,

                    Over the dim blue hills

                        Rests my heart ever.

                    Dearer and brighter than

                        Jewels or pearl,

                    Dwells she in beauty there,

                        Maire, my girl.

               Air: Mairgread ni Chealleadh