C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

John Keegan Casey (1846–1870)

Song of the “Wild Geese”

I PLACED the silver in her palm

By Inny’s smiling tide,

And vowed, ere summer-time came on,

To claim her as a bride.

But when the summer-time came on,

I dwelt beyond the sea;

Yet still my heart is ever true

To Gracie og machree.

Oh, bonnie are the woods of Targ,

And green thy hills, Rathmore,

And soft the sunlight ever falls

On Darre’s sloping shore;

And there the eyes I love, in tears

Shine ever mournfully,

While I am far and far away

From Gracie og machree.

When battle-steeds were neighing loud,

With bright blades in the air,

Next to my inmost heart I wore

A bright tress of her hair.

When stirrup-cups were lifted up

To lips, with soldier glee,

One toast I always fondly pledged,—

’Twas Gracie og machree.