My Own Dear Galway Bay (Frank Fahy) It's far away I am today from scenes I roamed a boy And long ago the hour, I know I first saw Illinois Not time nor tide nor water wide could wean my heart away But straight and true 'twill fly to you my own dear Galway Bay My chosen bride is by my side her brown hair silver-grey Our daughter Rose as like her grows as April dawn to day Our eldest son, our chosen one his father's pride and stay With gifts like these I'd live at ease Beside you Galway Bay By shore and creek both grey and bleak the rugged rocks abound But sweeter green the grass between than grows on Irish ground So friendhip fond all else beyond and love to live always Bless each dear home beside your foam my own dear Galway Bay Had I youth's blood and hopeful mood and heart of fire once more For all the gold the earth could hold I'd never leave your shore I'd live content whatever God sent midst neighbors old and grey And leave my bones 'neath churchyard stones beside you Galway Bay The blessings of a poor old man be with you night and day The blessings of a poor old man whose heart will soon be clay 'Tis all the heaven I ask of God upon my dying day My soul to soar forever more above you, Galway Bay Z oct97
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