Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Ireland: Vol. V. 1876–79.

Glengariff

Sweet Glengariff’s Water

By Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830–1883)

WHERE wildfowl swim upon the lake

At morning’s early shining,

I ’m sure, I ’m sure, my heart will break

With sadness and repining.

As I went out one morning sweet,

I met a farmer’s daughter,

With gown of blue, and milk-white feet,

By sweet Glengariff’s water.

Her jet-black locks, with wavy shine,

Fell sweetly on her shoulder,

And, ah! they make my heart repine

Till I again behold her.

She smiled, and passed me strangely by,

Though fondly I besought her,

And long I ’ll rue her laughing eye

By sweet Glengariff’s water.

Where wildfowl swim upon the lake

At morning’s early splendor,

Each day my lonely path I ’ll take,

With thoughts full sad and tender;

I ’ll meet my love, and sure she ’ll stay

To hear the tale I ’ve brought her,

To marry me this merry May

By sweet Glengariff’s water.