‘Tis far away I am today
from scenes I roamed a boy,
And long ago the hour I know
I first saw Illinois;
But time nor tide nor waters wide
could wean my heart away,
For ever true it flies to you,
my old dear Galway Bay.
My chosen bride is by my side,
her brown hair silver-grey,
Her daughter Rose as like her grows
as April dawn to day.
Our only boy, his mother’s joy,
his father’s pride and stay;
With gifts like these I’d live at ease,
were I near Galway Bay.
Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
the rugged rocks abound,
But sweet and green the grass between,
as grows on Irish ground,
So friendship fond,all wealth beyond,
and love that lives always,
Bless each poor home beside your foam,
my dear old Galway Bay.
A prouder man I’d walk the land
in health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and moil,
nor cast one thought behind,
But what would be the world to me,
its wealth and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
my own dear Galway Bay.
Had I youth’s blood and hopeful mood
and heart of fire once more,
For all the gold the world might hold
I’d never quit your shore,
I’d live content whate’er God sent
with neighbours old and gray,
And lay my bones, ‘neath churchyard stones,
beside you, Galway Bay.
The blessing of a poor old man
be with you night and day,
The blessing of a lonely man
whose heart will soon be clay;
‘Tis all the Heaven I’ll ask of God
upon my dying day,
My soul to soar for evermore
above you, Galway Bay.