Sir Samuel Ferguson
¶[1810-1886]
576 the Fair Hills of Ireland
¶From the IrishA PLENTEOUS place is Ireland for hospitable cheer,Uileacan dubh 01Where the wholesome fruit is bursting from the yellow barley ear;Uileacan dubh 01There is honey in the trees where her misty vales expand,And her forest paths in summer are by falling waters fann'd,There is dew at high noontide there, and springs i' the yellow sand,On the fair hills of holy Ireland.
¶Curl'd he is and ringleted, and plaited to the knee—Uileacan dubh 01Each captain who comes sailing across the Irish Sea;Uileacan dubh 01[922]And I will make my journey, if life and health but stand,Unto that pleasant country, that fresh and fragrant strand,And leave your boasted braveries, your wealth and high command,For the fair hills of holy Ireland.
¶Large and profitable are the stacks upon the ground,
¶Uileacan dubh 01
¶The butter and the cream do wondrously abound;
¶Uileacan dubh O!
¶The cresses on the water and the sorrels are at hand,And the cuckoo's calling daily his note of music bland,And the bold thrush sings so bravely his song i' the forests grand,On the fair hills of holy Ireland.