 | Legends of the wars in Ireland |  |
270
THE WHITETHORN TREE.
“JOHNNY DUNLEA.
“There's a tree in the greenwood I love best of all,—
It stands by the side of Easmor's haunted fall,—
For there, while the sunset fell bright far away,
Last I met 'neath its branches my Johnny Dunlea.
It stands by the side of Easmor's haunted fall,—
For there, while the sunset fell bright far away,
Last I met 'neath its branches my Johnny Dunlea.
Oh! to see his fine form, as he rode down the hill,
While the red sunlight glowed on his helmet of steel,
With his broadsword and charger, so gallant and gay,
On that evening of woe for my Johnny Dunlea!
While the red sunlight glowed on his helmet of steel,
With his broadsword and charger, so gallant and gay,
On that evening of woe for my Johnny Dunlea!
He stood by my side; and the love-smile he wore
Still brightens my heart, tho' 'twill beam never more.
'Twas to have but one farewell, then speed to the fray:
'Twas a farewell for ever, my Johnny Dunlea!
Still brightens my heart, tho' 'twill beam never more.
'Twas to have but one farewell, then speed to the fray:
'Twas a farewell for ever, my Johnny Dunlea!
For the fierce Saxon soldiers lay hid in the dell,
And burst on our meeting with wild savage yell;
But their dark leader's life-blood I saw that sad day,
And it stained the good sword of my Johnny Dunlea.
And burst on our meeting with wild savage yell;
But their dark leader's life-blood I saw that sad day,
And it stained the good sword of my Johnny Dunlea.
My curse on the traitor! my curse on the ball
That stretched my true love by Easmor's haunted fall!
Oh! the blood of his brave heart ebbed quickly away,
And he died in my arms there, my Johnny Dunlea!”
That stretched my true love by Easmor's haunted fall!
Oh! the blood of his brave heart ebbed quickly away,
And he died in my arms there, my Johnny Dunlea!”
| Legends of the wars in Ireland | |