At the grey dawn, amongst the falling leaves,
A little bird outside my window swung,
High on a topmost branch he trilled his song,
And " Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" ever sung.
Take me," I cried, "back to my island home;
Sweet bird, my soul shall ride between thy wings ";
For my lone spirit wide his pinions spread, '
And home and home and home he ever sings.
We lingered over Ulster stern and wild.
I called: " Arise! doth none remember me ?"
One turned in the darkness murmuring:
How loud upon the breakers sobs the sea!"
We rested over Connaughtwhispering said:
Awake, awake, and welcome! I am here."
One woke and shivered at the morning grey:
The trees, I never heard them sigh so drear."
We flew low over Munster. Long I wept:
You used to love me, love me once again!"
They spoke from out the shadows wondering: ^
M You'd think of tears, so bitter falls the rain." !|
Long over Leinster lingered we. " Good-bye!
My best beloved, good-bye for evermore." v^
Sleepless they tossed and whispered to the dawn;
So sad a wind was never heard before."
Was it a dream I dreamt ? For yet there swings
In the grey morn a bird upon the bough,
And " Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" ever sings.
Oh! fair the breaking day in Ireland now.
