MY MOTHER'S LAST GOODBYE

When I was but a youngster bold,
I thought I'd like to roam,
Like many another foolish lad,
I had no thought of home,
And the kind old friends around,
Who thought so much of me,
So I left my dear old homestead,
And I went away to sea.

May God be with you darling son,
Wherever you may roam,
Let no false pride make you forget,
The loving ones at home,
Goodbye God bless you darling son,
So sadly she did cry,
While I have life I'll not forget,
my mother's last goodbye.

At length I started o'er the sea,
To lands far, far away,
And toiled beneath the burning sun,
For many a dreary day,
And as I gained the wish for home,
The thoughts ran in my ear,
The last kinds words I heard from home,
And from my mother dear.

I landed, but alas too late,
My parents they were dead,
My friends they had no charms for me,
And all my joys were fled,
I long to see the old ones,
From whom I went away,
Now often in my dreams I hear,
My dear old mother say.

Repeat second verse.

As recorded by Bridie Gallagher on her album "The Girl From Donegal". The song is given as "traditional".