Castle Garden - an 19th Cent Irish emigrant’s farewell

Castle Gardens (Battery Park, NYC) was the USA Immigration Depot, 1855-1890, before Ellis Island

CASTLE GARDEN

Farewell my native countrymen, my good friends one and all,
        My lot lies in America, to either rise or fall.
I've been evicted from my home. I’ve been compelled to go.
        And leave our Sainted Ireland where the green shamrocks grow.

I owed the landlord two years rent. I wish I owed him more.
        One day the bloody Bailiff stuck a notice on our door.
My weak and widowed mother, it grieved her heart full sore,
        to leave the house my father built some sixty years ago.

She lingered for a little while. But she wearied and she died.
        With the only consolation. She sleeps by father’s side.
Both night and day for them I’ll pray, no matter where I go.
        Til I return to Ireland, where the green shamrocks grow.

For it’s hard to part with those you love. When in your heart you know
        You need the sod your father trod some sixty years ago
Well if I get to America and God spare me my health
        And if Lady Fortune favors me, I’ll be a man of wealth.

There's one I leave behind me, and it grieves me for to go
        and leave her in old Ireland. Will I ever see her more?
Sure I’ll save up my money. Back home to her I’ll go.
        And together we’ll live happy where the green shamrocks grow.

Hurray my boys the sails are set and the wind is blowing fair,
        We’ll sail for Castle Gardens. In a few weeks we'll be here.
               Or - Montreal, Quebec.
To labor for our bread and such as we are compelled to go
         From this lovely land called Ireland
         where the green shamrocks grow.