Lyr Add: Brackagh Hill (from Patrick Street)

Subject: Lyr Add: BRACKAGH HILL
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 10:43 AM

BRACKAGH HILL

One night as I lay slumbering in my silent bed alone,
Some rakish thoughts came in my head which caused me for to roam,
To leave behind me my native town and the wee girl I adore,
To take a trip as I saw fit, strange countries to explore.

The night before I went away, I was walking over Brackagh Hill.
I met my love upon the road and her eyes with tears did fill.
"O Johnny dear," she said, "stay here and do not go away,
For there'll be none to comfort me when you are o'er the sea."

Well, I took her by the lily-white hand and I held her long and fast.
"My darling girl, I must away for our ship lies in Belfast,
But if you'll prove constant, I'll prove true, for you know I am well inclined."
So we kissed, shook hands, and parted and I left my girl behind.

And it's when we landed in Greenock, sure the people all gathered round.
They said I was a rakish lad come to cut their harvest down.
They told me to return home and to never more be seen,
So that very night I took my flight back to Erin's lovely green.

And when Mary heard her Johnny was home, her heart it did leap with joy,
So threw herself all in his arms, saying, "You're my darling boy.
O Johnny dear, I'm glad you're here, for you I have thought long,
So let them all say as they will; our wedding will go on."

And Brackagh Hill is a lovely place with fine wee girls therein.
You'd swear they were the nightingale when they sit down and sing,
Where the salmon trout do sport about round Lough Neagh's verdant shore.
So let them all say as they will; you are mine forever more.
---------------
Sung by Patrick Street on "Irish Times"

Background:
A song of love. Love between people and love for a place. Brackagh is a small town in Co. Tyrone near the shores of Lough Neagh.