Lovely Maryanne

O bear me back to Shannon's banks and Limerick's battle-towers,
Where first I wooed my Maryanne among the sunny flowers ;
Where Beauty braved Oppression's steel, and Freedom led her on,
'Twas there I told my first love-tale, and won my Maryanne.
O lovely Maryanne ! my gentle little swan !

Where'er I be I'll dream of thee,
Till life's last pulse is gone.
There are some glowing eyes that leave their living rays behind
On memory's beaming mirror, in the palace of the mind ;
Go where I will, those rays of love can never cease to shine —
O Maryanne, the spirit of their magic light is thine !
Lovely Maryanne, etc.

And we have strayed on Shannon's banks, by moonlight white and wide,
Where Sarsfield broke the Saxon ranks by Shannon's lordly tide!
And we have sung our home songs there, and talked of glories gone,
And warm with love, and wild with joy, I kissed my Maryanne.

Lovely Maryanne, etc
And we have played on Shannon's banks when morning's dewy hand
Unveiled the rosy world of flowers that gemmed the glistening strand —
The waves, like Freedom's flashing swords, were glancing in the sun,
Bright as your own blue loving eyes, my radiant Maryanne.
Lovely Maryanne, etc.

By yonder dashing waterfall, that brightly leaps along,
With a whirling plume of silver and a ringing battle-song,
There often have we stolen unseen, and sat and talked of love,
With a daisy carpet 'neath us and a crystal roof above.
Lovely Maryanne, etc.

My girl, I'll soon go back to you, and Limerick's battle-towers,
And Shannon's banks, for ever green and rich with golden flowers !
I'd give the brightest pleasure that e'er charmed the heart of man,
For one sweet walk on those wild banks with you, my
Maryanne !

Lovely Maryanne, etc.