The Emigrant

by Joseph Campbell,
Irishry 1913

The car is yoked before the door,
And time will let us dance no more.
Come, fiddler, now, and play for me
Farewell to barn and stack and tree.

Today the fields looked wet and cold,
The mearings gapped, the cattle old.
Things are not what they used to be
Farewell to barn and stack and tree.

I go, without the heart to go,
To kindred that I hardly know.
Drink, neighbour, drink a health with me
Farewell to barn and stack and tree.

Five hours will see me stowed aboard,
The gang-plank up, the ship unmoored.
Christ grant no tempest shakes the sea
Farewell to barn and stack and tree.

1968, Emigrants return to the USA from Shannon airport after visiting home