Thanks to this book I know now which mistakes I made in transcribing. Here's the version of this song from the South Roscommon singers' book.

Wolfgang

GROVES OF KILTEEVAN
(M. Hickey)

'Tis hard to bid farewell to the land of my father's
endeared to my spirit by many a tie,
and the feelings of friendship which memory gathers
and sorrows, mementoes of days long gone by,
where we carelessly rambled along by the wild woods
blithe as the songbird that carols at even',
but now I must leave the dear scenes of my childhood,
forever farewell to the groves of Kilteevan.

Though far far away o'er the Western Ocean,
where broad rivers roll down their tides to the main,
I still think of thee, with a patriot's devotion,
in dreams I behold you, Kilteevan, again.
Oh, the sun it will rise in the glory of morn
and set in the dark fading splendour of even',
but I'll never more see its bright beams adorn
the scenes of my childhood, the groves of Kilteevan.

Though far far away in Kilteevan I'll cherish
one thought in my mind that I will not erase,
the years rolling onward my fond heart will nourish
and that is the thought of my own native place.
For I'm crossing the seas and I ne'er shall return,
dense thoughts cloud my mind like the dark groves at even',
but still in whatever strange lands I'll sojourn
my heart will go back to the groves of Kilteevan.