Songs and Poems by George Sigerson :: :: University of Virginia Library

How silent moves the flowing tide
That bears our swift bark on her way;
The clouds with quiet darkness hide
The last soft lingering beam of day.
And now, afar,
One trembling star
Looks down, our guide, above the brine:
One thought of thee
Comes thus to me
From some celestial height divine!

For now, no more, on sea or shore,
Thine eyes will smile, Movourneen mine!

Sometimes a lonely fisher sees,
When laying down his lines at night,
A boat approach against the breeze,
A radiant form that proffers light!
If his heart fail,
The veering sail
Will swiftly into dark decline;
If true and brave,
Then o'er the wave
'Twill lead where Isles of Beauty shine.

Ah! thou no more, on sea or shore,
My life shalt light, Movourneen mine!

Away, away, through storm and strain,
The streaming sea still draws our keel;
We bear our message o'er the main,
And must not fail, howe'er we feel.
Though heart should break,
Our course we take,
While yon fair star shall o'er us shine;
With banner high
Against the sky,
And souls too steadfast to repine.

For evermore, on sea and shore,
Thy love abides, Movourneen, mine!