School: Carrowbawn, Cill Dá Lua

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1. The Lonesome Gap (continued)

   

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   It was foretold in our revelations
   And truly traced on by St Colmcille
   To see poor strangers. where famine rages
   Each day repairing to that fertile shore.
   Like the Israelites in former ages.
   Who fled from Egypt in days of yore.
   IV
   Where are you, farmers with your crowded barns
   And your noble granaries well stocked with grain?
   Where are you, labourers that tilled the gardens
   And pulverized them with active strain?
   Where are you, hurlers, that conquered legions
   With acclamations of strenuous lungs?
   Was it plague or famine or immigration
   That extirpated those noble sons?
   Where are you, sportsmen, that oft pervaded
   Those fertile mountains in days of yore?
   Was it a second Pharaoh that sailed our harbours
   And drove you wandering on a foreign shore?
   V
   Alas! my dear you should have patience
   We had peace and plenty these many years
   We must be resigned to God our Maker
   We are but sojourning in this vale of tears
   Don't you remember, we were forewarned
   of desolation being near at hand

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. seánra
      1. filíocht
         1. filíocht na ndaoine (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Dr P. J. Holmes

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Cill Dalua, Co. an Chláir

   Informant

   Sexton

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   80