The Banks of
my own Lovely Lee
How oft do my thoughts in their fancy
take flight
To the home of my childhood away,
To the days when each patriot's vision
seem'd bright
Ere I dreamed that those joys should
decay.
When my heart was as light as the wild
winds that blow
Down the Mardyke through each elm tree,
Where I sported and play'd 'neath each
green leafy shade
On the banks of my own lovely Lee.
And then in the springtime oflaughterr
and song
Can I ever forget the sweet hours?
With the friends of my youth as we
rambled along
'Mongst the green mossy banks and wild
flowers.
Then too, when the evening sun's
sinking to rest
Sheds its golden light over the sea
The maid with her lover the wild
daisies pressed
On the banks of my own lovely Lee
The maid with her lover the wild
daisies pressed
On the banks of my own lovely Lee
'Tis a beautiful land this dear isle of
song
Its gems shed their light to the world
And her faithful sons bore thro' ages
of wrong,
The standard St. Patrick unfurled.
Oh! would I were there with the friends
I love best
And my fond bosom's partner with me
We'd roam thy banks over, and when
weary we'd rest
By thy waters, my own lovely Lee,
We'd roam thy banks over, and when
weary we'd rest
By thy waters, my own lovely Lee,
Oh what joys should be mine ere this
life should decline
To seek shells on thy sea- girdled
shore.
While the steel-feathered eagle, oft
splashing the brine
Brings longing for freedom once more.
Oh all that on earth I wish for or
crave
Is that my last crimson drop be for
thee,
To moisten the grass of my forefathers'
grave
On the banks of my own lovely Lee
To moisten the grass of my forefathers'
grave
On the banks of my own lovely Lee.
|