The Sailor Girl

When the Wild Geese were flying to Flanders

away,

I clung to my Desmond beseeching him stay,

But the stern trumpet sounded the summons to

sea,

And afar the ship bore him, Mabouchal machree.*

And first he sent letters, and then he sent none,

And three times into prison I dreamt he was

thrown;

So I shore my long tresses, and stain'd my face

brown,

And went for a sailor from Limerick Town.

* My heart's own boy.

Oh! the ropes cut my fingers, but steadfast I

strove,

Till I reached the Low Country in search of my

love.

There I heard how at Namur his heart was so

high,

That they carried him captive, refusing to fly.

With that to King William himself I was

brought,

And his mercy for Desmond with tears I be-

sought.

He considered my story, then smiling, says he,

"The young Irish rebel for your sake is free.

"Bring the varlet before us. Now, Desmond

O'Hea,

Myself has decided your sentence to-day.

You must marry your sailor with bell, book, and

ring,

And here is her dowry," cried William the King!