Spancil Hill

Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by

My mind been bent on rambling to Ireland I did fly

I stepped on board a vision and followed with a will

Til next I came to anchor at the cross in Spancil Hill

It been on the twenty-third of June the day before the fair

When Irelands sons and daughters and friends assembled there

The young, the old, the brave and the bold came their duty to fulfill

At the parish church in Clooney, a mile from Spancil Hill

Delighted by the novelty, enchanted by the scene.

Where in me early boyhood where often I had been.

I thought I heard a murmur. I think I hear it still.

It's the little stream of water that flows down Spancil Hill.

To amuse a passing fancy, I laid down on the ground.

And all my school companions, they shortly gathered round.

When we were home returning, we danced with bright good will

To Martin Monahan's music, at the cross at Spancil Hill.

I went to see me neighbours to see what they might say

The old ones were all dead and gone, the young ones turning grey

But I met the tailor Quigley, he's as bold as ever still

Ah, he used to make me britches when I lived at Spancil Hill

I paid a flying visit to my first and only love

She's as white as any lily, gentle as a dove

And she threw her arms around me, saying Johnny I love you still

Ah, she's now a farmer's daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill

I dreamt I knelt and kissed her as in the days of yore

Ah, Johnny you're only joking as many the time before

Then the cock he crew in the morning, he crew both loud and shrill

I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill