Padraic Colum (18811972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922. |
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36. Johnnys the Lad I Love |
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By Anonymous |
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AS I roved out on a May morning, | |
Being in the youthful spring, | |
I leaned my back close to the garden wall, | |
To hear the small birds sing. | |
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And to hear two lovers talk, my dear, | 5 |
To know what they would say, | |
That I might know a little of her mind | |
Before I would go away. | |
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Come sit you down, my heart, he says, | |
All on this pleasant green, | 10 |
Its full three-quarters of a year and more | |
Since together you and I have been. | |
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I will not sit on the grass, she said, | |
Now nor any other time, | |
For I hear youre engaged with another maid, | 15 |
And your heart is no more of mine. | |
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Oh, Ill not believe what an old man says, | |
For his days are well nigh done. | |
Nor will I believe what a young man says, | |
For hes fair to many a one. | 20 |
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But I will climb a high, high tree, | |
And rob a wild birds nest, | |
And Ill bring back whatever I do find | |
To the arms I love the best, she said, | |
To the arms I love the best. | 25 |
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