When Spring has spread a flow’r-embellished carpet
For the wee lambs to stray on,
And decked with green leaves and with lovely blossoms
The harps the zephyrs play on,
And raised up sunbeam stairs to make it pleasant
For the skylark’s soaring –
‘Tis sweet with God to walk the fields of Foremass,
Admiring and adoring.

‘Tis sweet to walk along the Foremass river,
Beside the swaying sallies;
To hurry where the river’s in a hurry,
And dally where it dallies.
And while I hear the harmony of music,
And feast my eyes on beauty,
It is not toil to thank the great Creator –
But a most pleasing duty.

I thank Thee, God, for this calm, pleasant haven,
And the bright sky above me;
I thank Thee for the Spring, that helps my spirit,
To feel the goodness of Thee.
I thank Thee for these songs, that are an echo
Of Thine own accent’s sweetness,
And for these charms, which are a weak reflection
Of Thy subline completeness.

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