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MO CRAOIBHIN CNO (MY CLUSTER OF NUTS), by             Poem Explanation        
First Line: My heart is far from liffey's tide
Last Line: Mo craoibhin cno!
Alternate Author Name(s): Walshe, Edward


MY heart is far from Liffey's tide
And Dublin town;
It strays beyond the southern side
Of Cnoc-Maol-Donn,
Where Capa-chuinn hath woodlands green,
Where Amhan-mor's waters flow,
Where dwells unsung, unsought, unseen,
Mo craoibhin cno,
Low clustering in her leafy screen,
Mo craoibhin cno!

The high-bred dames of Dublin town
Are rich and fair,
With wavy plume and silken gown,
And stately air;
Can plumes compare thy dark brown hair?
Can silks thy neck of snow?
Or measur'd pace thine artless grace,
Mo craoibhin cno,
When harebells scarcely show thy trace,
Mo craoibhin cno?

I've heard the songs by Liffey's wave
That maidens sung --
They sung their land the Saxon's slave,
In Saxon tongue --
Oh! bring me here that Gaelic dear
Which cursed the Saxon foe,
When thou didst charm my raptured ear,
Mo craoibhin cno!
And none but God's good angels near
Mo craoibhin cno!

I've wandered by the rolling Lee!
And Lene's green bowers --
I've seen the Shannon's wide-spread sea,
And Limerick's towers --
And Liffey's tide, where halls of pride
Frown o'er the flood below;
My wild heart strays to Amhan-mor's side,
Mo craoibhin cno!
With love and thee for aye to bide,
Mo craoibhin cno!





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