Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By John Keegan Casey148. Maire My Girl
O
Strays a wild river,
Over the dim blue hills
Rests my heart ever.
Dearer and brighter than
Jewels and pearl,
Dwells she in beauty there,
Maire my girl.
Shines the soft berry,
On the brown harvest tree
Droops the red cherry.
Sweeter thy honey lips,
Softer the curl
Straying adown thy cheeks,
Maire my girl.
That I first met her;
Many an eve shall pass
Ere I forget her.
Since my young heart has been
Wrapped in a whirl,
Thinking and dreaming of
Maire my girl.
Ever to grieve me,
She has too pure a heart
E’er to deceive me.
Was I Tyrconnell’s chief
Or Desmond’s earl,
Life would be dark, wanting
Maire my girl.
Strays a wild river,
Over the dim blue hills
Rests my heart ever;
Dearer and brighter than
Jewels or pearl,
Dwells she in beauty there,
Maire my girl.