sat an old man and his little daughter Nell, 

said a girl with Irish glee, as she played on papa's knee,

you promised me a story you would tell.

Come tell me of the past, of my mother dear she asked, 

come tell me how she used to look, she cried. 

Handsome Nell the old man said, as he slowly bent his head,

tears were in his eyes he then replied.

She was sweeter than the blossoms on the clover,

she was fairer than the evening sunset low,

but I never will forget, how much I loved her,

when your mother took my name long long ago.

We were married she and I, and in every way we tried,

to make our home a home of happiness,

till one bright September's morn, on the day that you were born, 

God took her to a brighter home above. 

In an Irish country home, one evening long ago, 

said an old man to his little daughter Nell, 

though the best of friends must part, she was nearer to my heart, 

for your mother was the only one I loved. 

                            For your mother was the only one I loved. 

Oh tonight in fancy, come and take a trip across the sea, 

and meet her own companions, in a place belong to thee, 

for stand upon her memories, are the friends we used to know, 

so just tonight let's rebel in the thoughts of long ago. 

Through little lanes and meadows, we will take a stroll once more,

and meet the laughing boys and girls, we met in days of yore. 

The rivers, woods and the moonlight nights, have the same old charms still,

As in the whisper of the summer's eve, came rambling o'er the hill. 

And it's of we roam, through young green grove,

with our young hearts light and grey. 

Near the golden rays of the setting sun, at the close of an Irish day. 

The music from the hills around, re-echo clear and through,

as down the path, we wandered in the fragrance of the dew.

Oh I near forget, when I set sail across the ocean blue,

we stood on deck and watched the mountains slowly fade from view, 

at the last glimse of old Ireland, sure our hearts went up in prayers, 

oh God forbid we e'er forget our dear little isle so fair. 

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside. 

The summer's gone and all the roses falling.

"Tis you, 'tis you, must go and I must bide. 

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,

or when the valley's hushed and white with snow. 

'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow, 

O Danny boy, oh Danny boy I love you so. 

And when you come and all the flowers are dying

If I am dead - as dead I well may be,

Ye'll come and find a place where I am lying, 

And kneel and say an Ave there for me;

And I shall hear though soft your tread above me,

And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be,

For you will bend and tell me that you love me,

and I shall live in peace until you come to me. 

In the dark a ship was anchored, on brigh' Saint Patrick Day,

on the quay a lass was sighing, for her lover gone away.

In her hand she held an emblem, and its parting leaves were three

and her parting words were darling, look at those and think of me. 

Three Leafed Shamrock I adore thee, your three leaves I long to free

When there's brighter days in Ireland, I'll come home and marry thee. 

Just before the ship had started, as she laid her hand on mine, 

just before we had parted, she looked with loving eyes so kind.

To my coat she laid the emblem, and its parting leaves were three

and her parting words were darling, look at those and think of me.

But tonight I am in exile, far from home and far from thee

next my heart I'll wear your token love, no matter where I'll be.

And though the seas divide us, and your face I might never see,

when ther's brighter days in Ireland, I'll come home and marry thee.

My young love said to me: "My mother won't mind,

and my father won't slight you for your lack of kind.

and she stepped away from me and this she did say:

"It will not be long, love, till the next market day".

She stepped away from me and she went thro' the fair, 

and fondly I watched her move here and move there, 

and then she went homeward with one star awake,

As the swan in the evening moves over the lake. 

Last night she came to me, she came softly in, 

so softly she came that her feet made no din;

and she laid her hand on me and this she did say:

"It will not be long, love, till our wedding day."