"Leaving Dear Old Ireland" lyrics - CHARLIE POOLE

When leaving dear old Ireland
In the merry month of June
The birds were sweetly singing
All nature seemed in tune
An Irish girl accosted me
With a sad tear in her eye
And as she spoke these words to me
So bitterly she cried

'Kind sir, I ask a favor
Will you grant it to me, please
It is not much I ask of you
But it'll set my heart at ease
Take these to my brother Ned
Who's far across the sea
And don't forget to tell him, sir
That they were sent by me'

[Chorus:]
Three leaves of shamrock
The Irish shamrock
From his own darling sister
A message too she gave
Take these to my brother
For I have no one other
And tell him they were gathered
From his angel's mother's grave

'Dear Ned, since you have went away
How bitter's been our lot
The landlord came one winter night
And drove us from our cot
Our troubles they were many
Our friends were very few
Oh, brother, how my mother
Used to often sigh for you'

'"Son, oh, son, come back again"
She did so often say
At last she was stricken
And soon was laid away
Her grave I watered with my tears
That's where these flowers grew
Oh, brother, these are all I have
And these I've sent to you'

[Chorus]