| lyric | 'Tis far away I am today, from scenes I roamed a boy,
An long ago the hour I know I first saw I Illinois,
But Time not Tide not waters wide, can wean my heart away,
For ever true it flies to you, My own dear Galway Bay.
A prouder man I’d walk the land in health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and mail, nor cast on'e thought behind:
But what would be the world to me, its rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee, my poor old Galway Bay.
Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek, the rugged rocks abound,
But sweeter green the'grass between than grows on Irish ground,
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond, and love that lives alway,
Bless each poor home beside your foam, my dear old Galway Bay.
Had I youth’s blood and hopeful mood and heart of fire once more,
For all the gold the earth might hold I’d never quit your shore;
I’d live content whate’er God sent, with neighbours old and grey,
And lay my bones ’neath churchyard stones beside you, Galway Bay.
The blessings of a poor old man be with you night and day,
The blessings of a lonely man whose heart will soon be clay ;'
’Tis all the Heaven I’d ask of God upon my dying day -
My soul to soar for evermore above you, Galway Bay. |