Been doing some searching and found my Irish song book - Songs of Ireland - 37 favourite songs for voice & piano... Boosey & Hawkes


Beside the campfire's fitful blaze,
Amid the forest drear,
I picture in the dying rays
The home to me so dear;
The lowly cot, the leaping stream,
The spire upon the hill;
I see them as I lie & dream,
My heart is with them still.

Middle verse is:

To my green isle my thoughts return,
Sweet Erin ever blest,
For thy deep valleys oft I yearn,
Wherein my kindred rest;
The shamrock springs within my heart
When Patrick's day is nigh,
For though from home and friends apart
To them fomd mem'ries fly.

The loving hearts I've left behind
With mine in exile beat;
A joyous welcome sure I'll find
When there someday we meet.
Oh haste, ye weary laggard years,
And speed me o'er the foam,
To greet again, 'midst happy tears,
My native land! my home!

Words & music traditional

Lovely words and tune. I play it on my concertina.