Spancil Hill

(Original Irish Traditional folk ballad composed by Michael Considine, arranged by The Brick Top Blaggers)

Last night I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by.

My mind being bent on rambling, to Ireland I did fly.

I stepped on board a vision and I followed with a will.

Till next I came to anchor at the cross of Spancil Hill.

It being on the 23rd of June, the day before the fair.

When Ireland's sons and daughters, and friends assembled there.

The young, the old, the brave and the bold, came, their duty to fulfill.

At the parish church in Clooney, a mile from Spancil Hill.

I paid a flying visit to my first and only love.

She's as white as any lily, and as gentle as a dove.

And she threw her arms around me, saying "Johnny, I love you still".

Oh she's Nell the farmers daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill.

I dreamt I held and kissed her, as in the days of yore.

Ah, "Johnny you're only joking as many's the time before"

Then the cock he crew in the morning, he crew both loud and shrill.

I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill.