I am a lonely exile that left my own dear nation
For to seek a situation in a land beyond the foam
I sailed across the ocean wide through hardships and through dangers
And for years I’ve been a stranger from my own dear Irish home Where once I lived contentedly the friends I loved surrounded me
Care nor grief ne’er troubled me nor made my heart feel sore
But now my days are closing and I’m parted from my country
And Kilnamartyre’s homely face my eyes shall see no more I travelled through Columbia’s shores all toil and danger scorning
To the farthest northern borders and westward to the deep
The broad extended cotton-fields and plains of Alabama
The mines of low Montana and Rockies wild and steep I hunted for prosperity but still it has eluded me
Black misfortune followed me no matter where I roamed
And after in my anguish I cursed the fate that parted me
From the comrades of my boyhood and my own dear Irish home Sweet boyhood recollections you will ever fondly bind me
To the friends I left behind me far oe’r the raging foam
And then dear Kilnamartyre where one time I resided
Tis sad I am divided by the ocean wide and deep Age is overtaking me and youth is fast forsaking me
The friends that once delighted me perhaps I’ll see no more
But still when my days are over and death has come and taken me
I fondly will remember thee, dear land that I adore