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- THE HAPPY TOWNLAND
-
- THERE'S many a strong farmer
- Whose heart would break in two,
- If he could see the townland
- That we are riding to;
- Boughs have their fruit and blossom
- At all times of the year;
- Rivers are running over
- With red beer and brown beer.
- An old man plays the bagpipes
- In a golden and silver wood;
- Queens, their eyes blue like the ice,
- Are dancing in a crowd.
- i{The little fox he murmured,}
- i{"O what of the world's bane?'}
- i{The sun was laughing sweetly,}
- i{The moon plucked at my rein;}
- i{But the little red fox murmured,}
- "O i{do not pluck at his rein,}
- i{He is riding to the townland}
- i{That is the world's bane.'}
- When their hearts are so high
- That they would come to blows,
- They unhook rheir heavy swords
- From golden and silver boughs;
- But all that are killed in battle
- Awaken to life again.
- It is lucky that their story
- Is not known among men,
- For O, the strong farmers
- That would let the spade lie,
- Their hearts would be like a cup
- That somebody had drunk dry.
- i{The little fox he murmured,}
- i{"O what of the world's bane?'}
- i{The sun was laughing sweetly,}
- i{The moon plucked at my rcin;}
- i{But the little red fox murmured,}
- i{"O do not pluck at his rein,}
- i{He is riding to the townland}
- i{That is the world's bane.'}
- Michael will unhook his trumpet
- From a bough overhead,
- And blow a little noise
- When the supper has been spread.
- Gabriel will come from the water
- With a fish-tail, and talk
- Of wonders that have happened
- On wet roads where men walk.
- And lift up an old horn
- Of hammered silver, and drink
- Till he has fallen asleep
- Upon the starry brink.
- i{The little fox he murmured,}
- i{"O what of the world's bane?'}
- i{The sun was laughing sweetly,}
- i{The moon plucked at my rein;}
- i{But the little red fox murmured.}
- i{"O do not pluck at his rein,}
- i{He is riding to the townland}
- i{That is the world's bane.'}
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