Father Cornelius O'Callaghan,
To most of us Father Con
To all of us quite the kindliest man,
That ever the sun shone on.
I mind me when I was a bit of a lad,
He stood with me out in the cold
While I told him a curious dream I had,
Of findin' acrock of gold.
O Father O'Callaghan!
When will the dream come true?
O Father O'Callaghan
If anyone knows 'tis you!
And Father O'Callaghan sthrok'd me pate,
Sez he, "The story is old-
Everyone that can work and wait
Will find his crock of gold
Rosie Mulvany was bright as a bird,
I lov'd her, she didn't object,
But somehow I never could bring out the word,
That Rose had a right to expect.
I'd dream of her nightly, I'd dream she said "Yes,"
Be daylight me courage was gone,
I was wore to a shadow, so in my distress,
I went and I saw Father Con.
O Father O'Callaghan,
Will the dream come true?
O Father O'Callaghan,
What is a boy to do?
And Father O'Callaghan said, "See here,
You must call in your Sunday clothes.
Say to her this, 'Will you marry me dear?'
You can leave the rest to Rose."
We talk'd one night of the glorious days,
When Ireland led the van,
With scholars as thick as the stars in the sky
And work for every man.
"Twill come again," said Father Con,
And his fertile fancy paints
The glorious day when the sun shines on
A new Isle of Saints.
O Father O'Callaghan
When will the dream come true?
O Father O'Callaghan
If anyone knows, 'tis you.
And Father O'Callaghan raised his head,
And smil'd his humorsome smile,
"When ev'ry man learns to rule himself
'Twill then be a saintly isle."
Father O'Callaghan's dead and gone,
This many and many a day -
But we haven't forgot you, Father Con,
And it keeps us from goin' astray.
And so at the last great earthquake shock,
When the trumpet's soundin' clear,
He'll guide to their God the faithful flock,
That knew him and loved him here.
O Father O'Callaghan
When will the dream come true?
O Father O'Callaghan
If anyone knows 'tis you!
And Father O'Callaghan says no word,
For he's sleepin' softly yet,
And when the Archangel's voice is heard,
We know that we wont forget.
