SHULE AGRA

[Original]

His hair was black, his eye was blue,

His arm was stout, his word was true;

I wish in my heart I was with you.

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun! *

Shule, shule, shule agra! **

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

'Tis oft I sat on my true love's knee,

Many a fond story he told to me,

He told me things that ne'er shall be,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun.

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

* Farewell, my darling. ** Come, come, my love!

I sold my rock, * I sold my reel; **

When my flax was spun, I sold my wheel,

To buy my love a sword of steel,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun.

But when King James was forced to flee,

The Wild Geesef spread their wings to sea,

And bore mabouchal *** far from me,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

I saw them sail from Brandon Hill,

Then down I sat and cried my fill,

That every tear would turn a mill,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

* Two parts of Irish spinning wheel.

** Irish Jacobites who joined the French army when the

cause of James II. was lost.

*** My boy.

I wish the King would return to reign,

And bring my true love back again;

I wish, and wish, but I wish in vain,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

Ill dye my petticoat, I'll dye it red, *

And round the world I'll beg my bread,

Till I find my love alive or dead,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!,

Shule, shule, shule agra!

Only death can ease my woe,

Since the lad of my heart from me did go,

Go-thee-thu, mavourneen slaun!

—-Anon. Adapted by A. P. Graves.