American Old Time Song Lyrics: 41 Mary Shane

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 41

MARY SHANE.
Copyright, 1893, by F. J. Tierney.
Words and Music by F. J. Tierney.

"In a cot there dwelt pretty Mary Shane,
Fairer than the roses blooming in the shady lane;
She was loved by Dan, honest hearted boy.
And Consent was given by her father full of joy.
Mary's father was a smithy, hearty, hale and rugged man,
And he gave his pretty child, with tears and a sigh, to Dan.
Those were joyful days, days without a care,
When the dimpled baby came, then they were a happy pair,
Winter passed away Spring came with its bloom,
Then there fell a shadow, darkly turning joy to gloom.

Chorus.
Dark days always come when least expected,
Anguish and tears to those who act in haste;
Fond hopes blighted thro' vows that are slighted,
Dome when deserted is a dreary place.

Now the tempter came, with a jaunty air,
Stopped and spoke to baby, and he stroked its golden hair;
Mary coyly blushed, as he asked its name;
Then he passed quite often,-how could Mary be to blame?
While he lingered Mary listened at his plottings to destroy
All her treasured future plans, as he caressed her boy.
Then came Danny home, whistling o'er the moor,
Calling wife and baby to their humble cottage door;
When he entered in, all was dark and drear,
Danny called but vainly then, for none were there to hear.- Cho.

Mary fled with babe to the noisy town.
And the villain gave her rings, for her pretty bands so brown,
But with all her silks she was sad and pined,
For she thought of Danny, home so lonely, far behind.
Then the villain soon he tired of the village beauty's face,
And then came desertion and days of dark disgrace;
Mary, faint And cold, begged for baby's bread,
Till at last she heard the sound of that old familiar tread;
Face to face at last, safe on Danny's breast,
then he gently whispered, "Now come home with me and rest."- Chorus