Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG FROM THE BACKWOODS, by TIMOTHY DANIEL (DONILL) SULLIVAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG FROM THE BACKWOODS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Deep in the canadian woods we've met
Last Line: "ireland, boys, hurrah!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Sullivan, Timothy Daniel
Subject(s): Homesickness


Deep in Canadian woods we've met,
From one bright island flown;
Great is the land we tread, but yet
Our hearts are with our own.
And ere we leave this shanty small,
While fades the Autumn day,
We'll toast Old Ireland!
Dear Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

We've heard her faults a hundred times,
The new ones and the old,
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes,
Enlarged some fifty-fold,
But take them all, the great and small,
And this we've got to say:--
Here's dear Old Ireland!
Good Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

We know that brave and good men tried
To snap her rusty chain,
That patriots suffered, martyrs died,
And all, 'tis said, in vain;
But no, boys, no! a glance will show
How far they've won their way--
Here's good Old Ireland!
Loved Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

And the loud "hurroo!" we have heard it too,
And the thundering "Clear the way!"
Here's gay Old Ireland!
Dear Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

And well we know in the cool grey eves,
When the hard day's work is o'er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet
The friends who meet once more;
With "Mary machree!" "My Pat! 'tis he!"
And "My own heart night and day!"
Ah, fond Old Ireland!
Dear Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

And happy and bright are the groups that pass
From their peaceful homes for miles
O'er fields, and roads, and hills, to Mass,
When Sunday morning smiles;
And deep the zeal their true hearts feel
When low they kneel and pray.
Oh, dear Old Ireland!
Blest Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!

But deep in Canadian woods we've met,
And we never may see again
The Dear Old Isle where our hearts are set
And our first fond hopes remain.
But, come, fill up another cup,
And with every sup let's say--
"Here's dear Old Ireland!
Loved Old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, hurrah!"





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