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The Emigrant's Farewell

  • (Trad)

    Farewell to old Ireland the land of my childhood
    That now and forever I am bound for to leave
    Farewell to the shores where the shamrock is growing
    It's the bright spot of beauty in the home of the brave
    I will think on its valleys with fond admiration
    Though never again its green hills will I see
    For I'm bound for to cross o'er the wild swelling ocean
    In search of fame fortune and sweet liberty

    It's hard to be forced from the lands that we live in
    Our houses and farms we're obliged for to sell
    And to wander alone among Indians and strangers
    To Find some sweet spot where our children may dwell
    O I have a wee lassie I fain would take with me
    Her dwelling at present lies in County Down
    It would break my poor heart for to leave her behind me
    We'll both roam together this wide world around

    So it's come along Bessie my own blue-eyed lassie
    Bid farewell to your mother and then come with me
    And I'll make my endeavour for to keep your mind easy
    Till we reach the green fields of Amerikay
    Our ship at the present lies in lovely Derry
    To bear us away o'er the wild swelling sea
    May heaven be her pilot and grant her fond breezes
    Till we reach the green fields of Amerikay

    Our artists our farmers our tradesmen are leaving
    To seek for employment far over the sea
    Where they will get riches with care and with industry
    There is nothing but hardship at home if you spin
    So it's cheer up your hearts now you lads and gay lassies
    There's gold for the digging and lots of it too
    Here's health to the heart that has courage to venture
    Bad luck to the lad or the lass that would rue

    There's brandy in Quebec at ten cents a quart boys
    The ale in New Brunswick's a penny a glass
    There is wine in that sweet town they call Montreal boys
    At inn after inn we will drink as we pass
    And we'll call for a bumper of ale wine and brandy
    And we'll drink to the health of those far far away
    Our hearts will all warm at the thoughts of old Ireland
    When we're in the green fields of Amerikay

    As sung by Andy Irvine

Susannes Folksong-Notizen

  • [1988:] Related to "The Greenfields of Canada" and to numerous other songs depicting the emigration of the Irish to the United States in the 1850s and 1860s, virtually all of which are worth singing. (Irvine, Heart 56)

Quelle: Ireland

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16.06.2003 aktualisiert am 14.10.2003