Craigie Hill
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 94 / 95
It being in spring, and the small birds were singing,
Down by yon shady arbour I carelessly did stray,
Where the thrushes they were warbling, the violets were charming,
To view fond lovers talking a while I did delay.
She said: “My dear don’t leave me for another season;
Through fortune does be pleasing I’ll go along with you.
I’ll forsake friends and relations and quit this Irish nation,
And to the bonnie Bann banks for ever I’ll bid adieu.”
He said: “My dear don’t grieve me, or yet annoy my patience.
You know I love you dearly, the more I’m going away.
I’m going to a foreign nation to purchase a plantation
To comfort us hereafter all in Americay.
“Then after a short while if fortune does be pleasing
‘Twill cause them for to smile at our late going away.
We’ll be happy as Queen Victorie all in her greatest glory.
We’ll be drinking wine and porter all in Americay.
“The landlords and their agents, the bailiffs and their beagles,
The land of our forefathers we’re forced for to give o’er.
Now we’re sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion,
And parting with out sweethearts, ‘tis them we do adore.
“If you were on your bed lying and thinking on dying,
The sight of the bonnie Bann banks your sorrow and you’d give o’er.
Or if you were one hour down in yon shady bower,
Pleasure would surround you; you’d think on death no more.
“Then fare you well sweet Craigie Hill, where often times I have roved.
I never thought my childhood days I’d part your anymore.
Now we’re sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion,
And the bonnie boats are sailing ‘way down by Dooring shore.”