Local Song

transcribed at

A Local Song  [duchas:4375067]

I.
Good-bye unto poor Keenagh
and the people that's therein,
And all around the borders,
Where the small birds sweetly sing
Good-bye unto my comrades
'tis for them I often feel,
Like-wise the maids
Lived in my days along the river Deel.

Verse II.
Tis well the tenant farmer knows,
their hardest days are gone.
The landlord's are alarmed 
since Parnell leads the van.
If you carry light when out
at night your imprisoned for the same
With their high rent they are 
not content without the fish and game.

A Local Song  [duchas:4375068]

III
A stick of wood found in the bog
the landlord calls his own.
A dog or gun you can own
or keep around your home.
If your land you chance to improve 
the rent they will surely rise.
Whoever will live will see
those tyrants getting a surprise.

IV
They should deal fair with
those that are these,
the faithful sons of toil.
There would be wealth 
and mirth in it if the
tenant owned the soil.
For the sun that rises 
in the east, the stars 
and silvery moon.
Dose not shine bright
on Éirinn's isle while
under British Rule.

A Local Song  [duchas:4375069]

'Tis well I remember Nov'63.
When I a poor exile had
to go across the sea,
If my Land League friends
may chance to win
as I trust in God they will.
I'll go see the bogs round
Keenagh Lodge that lies
near Nephin Hill.