Now I am bound for a far foreign shore
Farewell to the schoolmates I left in Rathmore
Like wise Nohovil that was once dear to me, and my fond relations is sweet Knocknagree.
Farewell and adieu to each smiling lass with whom I had many a pint and a glass, it is on them I’d ponder wherever I roam and my heart it will wander far back to my home.
Farewell to Millstreet that neat little town of honour, and beauty, of fame, and renown, of pleasure, and pastime and sweet unity, and those distant fond objects remind me of thee
II
Farewell to the groves round sweet Coomlegane
the pond and the castle to the East lies Drishane
Charming Mount Leader with its murmuring rills,
and its tapering heather grows tall o’er the hills.
Farewell to Kilmeedy that romantic maze that stood so attractive to the travellers gaze
With its gigantic walls that were built in days of yore, by that once proud chieftain called McCarthy Mor
III
In the West Clara Mountain comes next in my view where from each crystal fountain its source did persue
Where the verdure of Spring and the heather flowers grow and the bright milk maid singing in that valley below,
Its down by that Mountain by each cooling shade by Clara and Mt Leader right oft times I strayed and its heathery slopes where I once laid my brow and its castles and cascades of the banks of Finnow
IV
From the bank of that river trout may be seen
that washes the soil of Liscrea and Dooneen
Where once my grand sires great wealth did maintain
how scattered their offsprings are now o’er the main.
Now to conclude my simple oration. Farewell and adieu to each pleasant station, perhaps I may never behold them again, ’tis o’er the Atlantic I have to remain. But my fond prayer for ever will be Freedom, Prosperity and a Sweet Unity.
This poem, authorship unknown, was popular at “American Wakes in the locality a few decades ago
Recorded as part of the Schools Collection – folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s. [Page 1] [Page 2]
School: Sraid an Mhuilinn
Teacher: Seán Ó Dochartaigh
Very very beautiful poem.. I wonder hasthis ever been set to music
Indeed it has–I used to call it “Michael Casey’s Song”, because he is the only one I ever heard singing it! I have him on tape somewhere if I could find it!
Fantastic poem
Song very well written. I’ve never heard it sung
God that would be nice to hear.. Love to know the air to it.. Old ones are best.
Expect to be in Cullen mid July and will try to pass the air on to Sean Radley if I can
Michael – Well done indeed for accessing this magnificent local poem from so many decades ago. So many customs, placenames, sayings and traditions were recorded in the 1930s / 1940s mainly through National Schools when Teachers coordinated the recording of such facts by asking pupils to write into copy books what they learned from parents and grandparents at home. It’s wonderful that such historic documents are not only saved in national archives but may now be viewed and shared.