Ireland of My Dreams

IRELAND OF MY DREAMS
--For Mary McLaughlin and Chip Henry

Who has seen the new moon rise
In Dublin City, Dublin City
Who has sauntered arm in arm
Along the Liffey’s stream
Who has stopped to lift a glass
In Dublin City, Dublin City
Who has danced in Ireland of my dreams

Oh the fiddle and the horsehair bow
My father played the dancers on
Oh the dancers’ flying feet
Knees that pumped the air
Oh the air that smelled so sweet
Of new-mown hay of rising moon
Oh the days that I was young and there

Who has heard the Irish pipes
In Dublin City, Dublin City
Who has closed their eyes and kissed
Along the Liffey’s banks
Who has pounded on the door
In Dublin City, Dublin City
Who remembers Ireland and gives thanks

Who is living far from home
From Dublin City, Dublin City
Who will never walk again
Along the riverside
Who will heal our hearts that break
For Dublin City, Dublin City
I remembered Ireland and I cried