THE LUSMAGH FIELDS SO GREEN by Edward Dolan (1908)

In London town I do lie down upon my bed to sleep.
When I think of home and how I must roam across the waters deep,
I can't sleep a wink when 'ere I think of home and my cailin,
Ah will I ever more see you astor, or the Lusmagh fields so green.

In my youthful sport I did resort to dear old Foolagh lane,
And it runs in my head the old car shed, I will never see again.
For a long while I'll be an exile until God's will has been
For me to roam back to my home in the Lusmagh fields so green.

In Cruchan Street where I used to meet with the lads so bright and gay,
Where we did conspire to our hearts' desire and always got our way,
Twas through the village I used to pillage while I was that age sixteen,
How I did delight to roam at night through the Lusmagh fields so green.

Where I used to lie when I was a boy just at the Deerpark stile
In Cruchan Wood where I oft times stood with the lads to talk awhile.
Going to 'the sports' I passed Clufan fort where the ghost used to be seen,
But I don't believe that a ghost could live in those Lusmagh fields so green.

In a few days more I'll leave the shore of this great British town
And I'll take my leave with a farewell wave as the Thames I do sail down.
Through Biscay bay I'll sail away and I'll view many a scene,
But I'll see none there that can compare with the Lusmagh fields so green.

Through Gibraltar Strait and Mediterranean great, the Suez and the Red Sea,
Going through Port Said and Arabia's Head, shure it's all like a dream to me,
When I'm far apart, it will break my heart to see all those miles between,
The Deerpark Hill and the ruins of the mill and the Lusmagh fields so green.

On Fremantle's earth not far from Perth I do expect to land,
Where the tiger-snake, it often takes a life on the desert sand,
If it be my lot on that foreign spot, to lie and never be seen
But when I die may my soul fly, to the Lusmagh fields so green.

source http://www.mcnichollfamilytree.co.uk/paulmcn/myweb/lusmagh.htm

"This poem was written by Edward Dolan (my grandfather's brother) in 1908 and he posted it home while en route to Australia, via Liverpool and London, with the instructions that his cousin Stephen Coughlan should write music for it, which he did. It has become the Lusmagh Parish anthem.

                Edward Dolan left for Australia with his uncle Dan (who had come home from Melbourne) after a farewell party. Edward and Dan Dolan are pictured on the Dolan family photograph in the 'Photo Album' which was taken outside the family home in Lusmagh, Co.Offaly, prior to them leaving for Australia."