Jimmy Whelan

One evening of late as I went a-walking

Watching the sunbeams as evening drew nigh

It's onwards I rambled and I spied a fair maiden

A-weeping and a-wailing with many's a sigh

For one who has gone and now lies lonely

Lonely for one no mortal can tell

Her deep roaming waters roll swiftly around him

And the grass, it grows green over young Jimmy's grave

"Oh Jimmy," she cried, "Now, don't go and leave me

Don't go and leave me here for to mourn

Take me, oh take me along with you, darling

Down to your grave and the cold, silent tomb"

"My darling," he said "You are asking a favor

That no mortal on earth could grant unto thee

Death is the dagger that has torn us asunder

And wide is the grave, love, between you and me

For 'tis oft times you walk by the banks of the river

My spirit will watch you to guard and to keep

There will I hover and ever fly over

To protect you, my darling, from the cold, silent tomb

One fond embrace, love, and then I must leave you

One loving farewell and then we must part"

Cold were the arms that encircled around her

And cold was the form she pressed to her heart

So slowly he rose from the banks of the river

And up to the skies he then seemed to go

Leaving this fair maid by the side of the water

A-weeping and a-wailing in anguish and woe

"Oh Jimmy Whelan," she cried, "Now, don't go and leave me

Don't go and leave me here for to mourn

Take me, oh take me along with you, darling

Down to your grave and the cold, silent tomb"

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