Gille Machree

Gille Machree, sit down by me,
We now are joined and ne'er will sever ;
This hearth's our own, our hearts are one,
And peace is ours for ever !

When I was poor, your father's door
Was closed against your constant lover ;
With care and pain I tried in vain
My fortunes to recover.
I said : " To other lands I'll roam,
Where Fate may smile on me, love ; "
I said : " Farewell, my own old home ! "
And I said : " Farewell to thee, love ! "
Sing Gille Machree, etc.

i might have said, my mountain maid,
Come live with me, your own true lover;
I know a spot, a silent cot,
Your friends can ne'er discover ;
Where gently flows the waveless tide
By one small garden only ;
Where the heron waves his wing so wide,
And the linnet sings so lonely !
Sing Gille Machree, etc.

I might have said, my mountain maid,
A father's right was never given
True hearts to curse with tyrant force.

That have been blest in heaven.
But then, I said : " In after-years,
When thoughts of home shall find her,
My love may mourn, with secret tears,
Her friends thus left behind her."
Sing Gille Machree, etc.

O no, I said, my own dear maid,
For me, though all forlorn for ever,
That heart of thine shall ne'er repine
O'er slighted duty — never. .
From home and thee though wandering far,
A dreary fate be mine, love ;
I'd rather live in endless war,
Than buy my peace with thine, love.
Sing Gille Machree, etc.

Far, far away, by night and day,
I toiled to win a golden treasure ;
And golden gains repaid my pains
In fair and shining measure.

I sought again my native land,
Thy father welcomed me, love ;
I poured my gold into his hand,
And my guerdon found in thee, love.
Sing Gille Machree, etc.