Your  absent ones have heard the call,
And sped to you across the foam;
O Eirinn, Eirinn give then all
A hearty welcome home!

Ye groves! that stand so still and grave,
While Summer bids you all adieu –
Smile dreamily, and kindly wave
A welcome to them, too.

Through vistas, lovely and sublime,
Let gentle fays their footsteps guide;
And slow them that their native clime
Has much in which to pride.

Ye merry streams! that dance along
By scented meads, and ripening grain,
Soothe the sad exiles with your song,
And make them glad again.

Winds! pure and sweet, by vale and hill,
Enfold them in a fond embrace.
Their faces kiss, O Sun! until
Roses the lilies chase.

Ye skies that roof our em’rald vales!
Be lavish of your charms awhile.
O Dawn and Sunset! show these Gaels
A mother’s welcome smile.

(3rd verse – fays – fairies)

Michael Mullin ‘The Bard of Foremass’
Foremass Lower, Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone.