Mythology & Folklore

The Song of Fionnuala

by Thomas Moore 1779–1852

From Irish Melodies

Mythology & FolkloreHistory & Politics

Silent, oh Moyle, be the roar of thy water,
Break not, ye breezes, your chain of repose,
While, murmuring mournfully, Lir's lonely daughter
Tells to the night-star her tale of woes.
When shall the swan, her death-note singing,
Sleep, with wings in darkness furled?
When will heaven, its sweet bell ringing,
Call my spirit from this stormy world?

Sadly, oh Moyle, to thy winter wave weeping,
Fate bids me languish long ages away;
Yet still in her darkness doth Erin lie sleeping,
Still doth the pure light its dawning delay.
When will that day-star, mildly springing,
Warm our isle with peace and love?
When will heaven, its sweet bell ringing,
Call my spirit to the fields above?

✦ ✦ ✦

Draws on the legend of the Children of Lir, turned to swans and condemned to centuries of exile on Irish waters.

MLA

Moore, Thomas. “The Song of Fionnuala.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/moore/10/.

Chicago

Moore, Thomas. “The Song of Fionnuala.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/moore/10/.

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