Galway Bay

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland



Then maybe at the closing of your day



You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh



And watch the barefoot gossoons at their play



Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream



The women in the meadows making hay



And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin



And see the sun go down on Galway Bay



For the breezes blowing over the seas from Ireland



Are perfumed by the heather as they blow



And the women in the uplands diggin' prates



Speak a language that the strangers do not know



For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way



They scorned us just for being what we are



But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams



Or light a penny candle from a star



And if there is going to be a life hereafter



And if I am sure there's going to be



I will ask my God to let me make my heaven



In that dear land across the Irish sea