ew song on skibbereen where thousands patiently laydown and died for want of food Tune is Skibbereen

What cry is this upon the winds That’s falling on my ear
Are the yeomen at their work again That fills our minds with fear
Or do they weep because they’re slaves In this island fair and green
No it’s the wail of thousands hungry In the town of Skibbereen

The wife’s and babe’s provider With the broad and sinewy hand
Is stretched a naked skeleton No more to till the land
The partner of his miseries His cushla his mhuirneen
Is gone with him for famine spares No wives in Skibbereen

You’ll see the father falling while he saves the bit of food
To keep life in his offspring his own son his own life’s blood
The last is gone no friendly hand extending now is seen
Nor shrouds nor coffins round them in the graves of Skibbereen

Aye weep ye Munster girls now ye can afford to weep
Ye kbow not ere the morning breaks ye’ll rest in famine’s sleep
The laughing eye the blooming the smile so bland serene
Will disappear for hunger sweeps the maids of Skibbereen

And are we doomed to perish in our own green fertile land
Where the stranger had the welcome the full and friendly hand
But we may some day remember if we’re wanted by the queen
That hundreds patiently lay down and starved in Skibbereen

J. Nugent, Printer, 35 cook street, Dublin