Play recording: Country I’m Leaving Behind, The
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- Teideal (Title): Country I’m Leaving Behind, The.
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 853904.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): 6335.
- Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
- Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
- Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
- Catagóir (Category): song.
- Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
- Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Lucy Simpson.
- Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 25/09/1979.
- Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
- Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): private.
- Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
- Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.
My barque leaves the harbour tomorrow
Across the wide ocean to go;
And Kitty, my burden of sorrow
Is more than I wish you to know.
There’s a dreary dark cloud hanging o’er me,
And a weighty big load on my mind,
When I think of the prospects before me
And the country I’m leaving behind.
So farewell to the green hills of Erin,
My darling so faithful and kind;
And wherever I’ll be I’ll true love, to thee
And the country I’m leaving behind.
Now Kitty, give over your crying,
And don’t be uneasy for me;
For my fortune I’m now after trying
In those sunny lands over the sea.
Each moment that passes shall find thee
Still reigning supreme in my mind,
And the image of your beauty shall bind me
To the country I’m leaving behind.
Chorus
Though the land be abounding in treasure
And fair maids of every degree,
My eyes may behold them with pleasure
But my heart will be longing for thee!
Let stormy clouds gather above me,
Or friendship prove stale or unkind,
I will know there is one heart will love me
In the country I’m leaving behind.
Chorus
Notes
Joe appears to be reading the words from a printed source; listen for the page rustling before the last verse.
The final refrain is cut off, presumably because the tape ran out.