Song of Ballyshannon

Take me home to Ballyshannon, for there’s music in the word; The name o’ Ballyshannon is the sweetest ever heard! The little hills are lying fair and green behind the town, And the skies of Ballyshannon, why, they’re never known to frown. Take me back and let me hearken to the plaintive Irish wind; Take me back to Ballyshannon, where the neighbors’ hearts are kind. I will wander in the moonlight out upon the ragged moor, With the flaming gorse and heather,—I’ll not find it mean or poor. In the glen with lads a-dancing, I will pass the night away; For the nights in Ballyshannon, they are sweeter than the day. Take me back to Ballyshannon, there’s a voice that calls to me; For my heart’s in Ballyshannon on the other side the sea. I came to Ballyshannon on a wet and mournful night, And all the way was darkness, with never a ray of light; The mist was waving round me and the winds were blowing free When I came to Ballyshannon, sure my heart was whole in me. I went from Ballyshannon when the sun was rolling high, And every rowan bud was glad and looked me in the eye; The clouds were white above me and the winds played in the tree, Yet I went from Ballyshannon bearing little heart in me. Sure my heart was crushed and broken; there were kisses on my mouth; There were cruel words upon me like a summer’s parching drouth. Woman’s wiles are full of mystery, they’re inconstant as the sea; Just for sport in Ballyshannon, someone stole the heart of me. The bells of Ballyshannon, I hear them on the wind, And every care and sorrow my heart leaves far behind; I can live and thrive a season upon an alien shore, But I’m wanting Ballyshannon forever all the more; And when light o’ life has left me and I’m like an empty byre, Lay my bones in Ballyshannon, take me back to heart’s desire, Where I’ll hear the bells a-ringing, folded arms beneath the sod, For the bells of Ballyshannon, they will ring me home to God.