Cara Dillon - The Emigrant's Farewell lyrics

Farewell to old Ireland, the land of my childhood

Which now and forever I am going to leave

Farewell to the shores, where the shamrock is growing

It's the bright spot of beauty and the home of the brave

I'll think on its valleys with fond admiration

Though never again its bright hills will I see

I'm bound for to cross the wide swelling ocean

In search of fame and fortune and of sweet liberty

Our ship at the present lies in Derry harbour

To bear us away across the wide swelling sea

May heaven be her companion and grant her fair breezes

'Til we reach the green fields of America

It's hard to be forced from the land that we live in

Our houses and farms all obliged for to sell

To wander along among Indians and strangers

To find some sweet spot where our children might dwell

Our artists, our farmers, our tradesmen are leaving

To seek for employment far over the sea

Where they'll get their riches with care and with industry

There's nothing but hardship at home if you stay

So cheer up your spirits, you lads and you lasses

There's gold for the digging and lots of it, too

A health to the heart that has courage to ramble

Bad luck to the lad or the lass that would rue

We'll call for a bumper of ale, wine and brandy

We'll drink to the health of those far away

Our hearts will all warm at the thoughts of old Ireland

When we're on the green fields of America