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MY DARLING SLEEPS IN ENGLAND

My darling sleeps in England across the Irish Sea
While I who loved him dearly shall mourn him bitterly
Shall mourn him night and morning and miss him from my sight,
For in the town of Birmingham my husband Danny died.

The times came hard upon us, my children three and I,
My husband rose one morning with a teardrop in his eyes.
He tied his poor belongings and kissed me tenderly,
Sating "Fare you well my darling for I'll cross the Irish Sea.

Each week from English cities a letter came to me
Saying Darling wife how do you fare, likewise your children three?
And when at night you're on your knees to say the rosary,
Remember then your loving Dan who's across the Irish Sea.

I wrote him back a letter and I said "My darling Dan,
Young Pat is now a sturdy child and Tom is near a man,
And Flora looks into my eyes and whispers tenderly,
God send my daddy safely back from across the Irish Sea.

One evening I was at my work and a knock came to the door;
My heart stood still for I knew that sound some evil to me bore,
And then the bitter tidings I heard most mournfully,
That the cruel bombs had murdered Dan far across the Irish Sea.



(From The Cruel Wars compiled by Karl Dallas, Wolfe Publishing 1972)
The tune is the one used for The Boston Burglar and the book says it's from the
singing of Mary Reynolds of Co Leitrim. The song is a lament for an Irishman kil
led by the bombs while working in England in the war.


@war @death
filename[ DARSLEEP
KMcG

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