Ballads of Irish chivalry By Robert Dwyer Joyce: Edited, with Annotations, by his brother P. W. Joyce |
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JOHNNIE DUNLEA. |
 | Ballads of Irish chivalry |  |
JOHNNIE DUNLEA.
I
There's a tree in the greenwood I love best of all,—It stands by the side of Easmore's haunted fall,
For beside it while sunset shone bright far away,
I met for the last time my Johnnie Dunlea.
II
He stood by my side, and the love-smile he woreStill brightens my heart, though 'twill beam nevermore;
'Twas to have but one farewell, then speed to the fray;
'Twas a farewell for ever—my Johnnie Dunlea.
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III
For the red Saxon soldiers lay hid in the dell,And burst on our meeting with loud savage yell;
But their leader's red life-blood I saw that sad day,
And it stained the good sword of my Johnnie Dunlea.
IV
My curse on the traitors, my curse on the ballThat stretched my true love by Easmore's haunted fall;
The blood of his brave heart ebbed quickly away,
And he died in my arms there—my Johnnie Dunlea.
| Ballads of Irish chivalry | |