West Clare version
Jim Carroll

The Christmas Letter
Recorded From Tom Lenihan, Miltown Malbay,
Co. Clare

1 Then Kate, a stor, you're sleeping whilst my eyes is red with weeping,
Yes, weeping for those little ones that's gone so far away.
Will you read again that letter? Somehow it makes me better,
Oh, each time I hear the news of them that's in Americay.
Oh, the kitchen here was full of them, but one by one the lot of them
Sailed out across the great big sea to that land so far away;
And now each little motion of that wild and dreadful ocean
Falls heavy on a mother's heart this blessed Christmas Day.

2 'Tis well I do remember that cold day in December
When the neighbours laid their father in his narrow bed of clay.
Oh, I prayed to God to take me, for my heart was well nigh breaking
For myself and all my little ones that blessed Christmas Day.
The yellow waves were shining with their creamy deep grey lining,
Oh, they stole the children of my heart to that land so far away.
First went Dick and Nellie, then little blue-eyed Willie,
Ah, 'tis far ye're from a mother's care, this blessed Christmas Day.


3 Next went brown-haired Mary, herself and Tommy Carey
Stepped down across to Father Pat before they sailed away.
Oh, it was the happy marriage for they're rollin' in their carriage
Along the streets of Broadway, this blessed Christmas Day.
And that little wild lad Davy, with his flaxy hair so wavey, oh,
He's singing Irish songs for them tonight in old Broadway.
Ah, if I was only near him to hear the big crowds cheer him
'Tis a mother's heart would fill with pride this blessed Christmas Day.

4 Now what's the use in talking, sure John was hardly walking
When I saw him climb upon the clifft (i.e. cliff) and look across the bay.
Oh, my bitter tears was falling for I knew the sea was calling
The only treasure of my heart that blessed Christmas Day.
The yellow waves are shining and, mo bhron , 'tis I am pining, oh,
To sail upon the tops of them to that land so far away.
Will you read again that letter? Somehow it makes me better
Ah, each time I hear the news of them that's in Americay.