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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EXILE'S MOTHER, by EMILY LAWLESS Poem Explanation Poet's Biography
First Line: There's famine in the land, its grip is tightening still
Last Line: In the far-off, gay and gallant land of france.
First Line: There's famine in the land, its grip is tightening still
Last Line: In the far-off, gay and gallant land of france.
THERE'S famine in the land, its grip is tightening still,
There's trouble, black and bitter, on every side I glance,
There are dead upon the roadside, and dead upon the hill,
But my Jamie's safe and well away in France,
Happy France,
In the far-off, gay and gallant land of France.
The sea sobs to the grey shore, the grey shore to the sea.
Men meet and greet, and part again as in some evil trance,
There's a bitter blight upon us, as plain as plain can be,
But my Jamie's safe and well away in France,
Happy France,
In the far-off, gay and gallant land of France.
Oh not for all the coined gold that ever I could name
Would I bring you back, my Jamie, from your song, and feast, and dance,
Would I bring you to the hunger, the weariness and shame,
Would I bring you back to Clare out of France!
Happy France,
From the far-off, gay and gallant land of France.
I'm no great sleeper now, for the nights are cruel cold,
And if there be a bit or sup 'tis by some friendly chance,
But I keep my old heart warm, and I keep my courage bold
By thinking of my Jamie safe in France,
Happy France,
In the far-off, gay and gallant land of France.
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