 | Ballads of Irish chivalry |  |
257
JOHNNY'S RETURN.
I
As Johnny came full merrilyBy Mona's ancient tower,
He saw his true love drearily
Sit in the wild ash bower;
He spoke to her full cheerily,
But aye she made her moan:
“Oh! I'm left to weep all drearily
My misery alone,
For he whose words fell merrily
On my poor heart is flown!”
II
“When winter blasts were roaring wild,My love left me to weep;
And ere the larks were soaring wild,
He'd crossed the stormy deep”.
Then Johnny spoke full merrily,
But aye she made her moan:
“Oh! I'm left to weep all drearily
My misery alone,
For he whose words fell cheerily
On my poor heart is flown!”
III
Oh! dead her young heart's gladness thenFor two long weary years,
And wild she wailed her sadness then,
And fast fell down her tears;
Yet Johnny spoke full merrily,
But aye she made her moan:
“Oh! I'm left to weep all drearily
My misery alone,
For he whose words fell cheerily
On my poor heart is flown!”
258
IV
He'd come disguised full drearilyOn his returning day;
With laugh and fond word, cheerily,
He cast it now away;
He ran where Eileen drearily
Sat making her sad moan:
And merrily, oh! merrily,
His arms were round her thrown,
Crying, “Joy is dawning cheerily,
And sorrow's night is flown!”
| Ballads of Irish chivalry | |