[D]It's far away I[G] am to[D]day
From scenes I roamed a boy
[A]And long ago the[G] hour, I know
I first saw[A]
Illinois
But Time not Tide, not[D] waters[G] wide,
Can wean my[A] heart a[D]way
For ever true it[G] flies to[D] you
My
own dear[G] Galway[D] Bay
A prouder man I'd walk the lad
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 rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
My poor
old Galway Bay.
Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
The rugged rocks abound,
But sweeter green the grass between
Than grows
on Irish ground.
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond,
And love that lives alway,
Bless each poor home beside your
foam,
My dear old Galway Bay.
Had I youth's blood and hopeful mood
And heart of fire once more,
For all the gold the earth might hold,
I'd never quit your shore;
I'd live content whate'er God sent,
With neighbours
old and grey,
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 blessings of a lonely man
Whose heart will soon
be clay.
'Tis all the Heaven I'd ask of God
Upon my dying day
My soul to soar for evermore
Above you, Galway
Bay.
