This was arguably composed as a song, which would class it as an air. It was composed by Donal Meirgeach MacConmara, a native of Irrul, County Mayo and published in O'Sullivan's "Songs of the Irish" (Crown, New York, 1960). South wind of the gentle breeze, you banish winter weather Bring salmon to the pools again, the bees among the heather If northward now you mean to blow, as you rustle soft above me Godspeed be with you as you go With a kiss for those who love me From south I come with velvet breeze, my word all nature blesses I melt the snow and I strew the leaves, with flowers and soft caresses I'll help you to dispel you woes, with joy I'll take your greeting And bear it to your loved Mayo Upon my wings so fleeting My Connaught famed for wine and play; so gay, so loyal, so loving Here's my fond wish I send today, borne on the wind in it's roving These Munster folk they are good and kind, right royally they treat me But this land I gladly leave behind For your Connaught pipes to greet me
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