St Columba's Farewell

Swift speeds our ship, as my dim grey eye
Looks back on Erin. Perchance no more
To see, while the stars illume the sky,
Her people fair and her shining shore.

From the deck of oak where now I lie
My sight I strain through the rain and wind.
A tear I shed as my soft grey eye
Looks back on the land we leave behind.

Dear to my heart on yon Western land
Is broad Lough Foyle where the cool waves pour,
And Drumcliff bay and Culkeeny's strand-
How grand the sight of their sloping shore!

O bear my blessing far to the West
For my heart is breaking as we sail.
Should suddenly death now pierce my breast
I'd die of the love I bear the Gael.

St. Columba (Translation)

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