As we came down the old boreen,
Rose and I Rose and I,
At vesper time on Sunday een,
We heard a banshee cry!
Beyond the churchyard dim and dark,
Neath whispering elms, and yew-trees stark,
Where our star shone-a corpse-like spark-
Against the wintry sky.
We heard and shuddered sick with dread,
Rose and I- Rose and I,
As the shrill keening rang oerhead
Where cloud-wrack floated high.
Our two young hearts long, sorely tried,
By poverty and love denied
Still waiting for some favouring tide,
And now! Death come so nigh.
Which of us two is called away
You or I-You or I?
I heard my patient poor love say,
With bitter plaintive sigh.
Neither, dear girl, I bravely said,
To Mary Mother bow your head,
And cry for help to Her instead,
Nor heed the Banshees cry.
We raised our hearts in fervent prayer,
Rose and I-Rose and I,
Nor knew our troubles ended there,
Our happiness came nigh.
For twas the grim old farmer, he-
My only kin, rich, miserly,
Who, dying left his wealth to me-
For whom the banshee cried.
