’tis far away I am today from scenes I roamed a boy
And long ago, the hour I know, I first saw Illinois
But time nor tide nor waters wide can wean my heart away
For ever true it flies to you, my dear old Galway Bay

My chosen bride is by my side, her brown hair silver-grey
Her daughter Rose, as like her grows as April dawn today
Our only boy, his mother’s joy, his father’s pride and stay
With gifts like these, I’d live at ease, were I near Galway Bay

Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek, the rugged rocks abound
But sweet and green, the grass between, as grows on Irish ground
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond, and love that lives away
Bless each poor home beside your foam, my dear old Galway Bay

Had I youth’s blood and hopeful mood and heart of fire once more
For all the gold the world might hold, I’d never quit your shore
I’d live content what e’er God sent with neighbours old and gray
And lay my bones ‘neath churchyard stones, beside you, Galway Bay

The blessing of a poor old man be with you night and day
The blessing of a lonely man whose heart will soon be clay
’tis all the Heaven I’ll ask of God upon my dying day
My soul to soar for ever more above you, Galway Bay.