There is a recording at YouTube that comes from a cylinder recording by Peter Dawson. Here is my transcription. Note there is a part I couldn't get. The bibliographic data is from WorldCat.org:


THE SINGER WAS IRISH
Words and music by C.W. Murphy & Harry Castling
[London]: Francis, Day & Hunter, c1904

1. It was Christmas Eve in London and the snow lay on the ground.
Through a window of a cottage I was passing came a sound.
Someone played an old piano. As the hands flew o'er the keys,
I was taken back in fancy to my home across the seas,
For he sang a song that filled my heart with boyhood memories.

CHORUS: The singer was Irish, the song was Irish,
And the notes seemed to come from the sky.
The dear old refrain I heard once again
And the words brought a tear to my eye:
("Come back to Erin, mavourneen, mavourneen.")
Long I lingered at the door,
For the great old song made me long
To be safe in my home once more.

2. As the melody ascended, I could see so plain once more
The dear home that I was born in, nestling by the Shannon's shore,
And I saw a gray-haired woman take my hand in fond embrace.
"… macushla, will you leave the dear old place?
May the best of luck attend you in the world you're going to face." CHORUS