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IRISH SONGS AND LYRICS 427 |
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THE TWISTING OF THE ROPE
The legend attached to the beautiful, capricious and characteristic Irish air of " The Twisting of the Rope," is that a Con-naught harper, on his visit to a farmer's house, was inveigled into twisting a hay rope by the mother, who did not approve his attentions to her daughter. He walked backward as he twisted until he found himself outside the door, which was shut against him, and his harp thrown out of the window. It has been utilized by Dr. Douglas Hyde in his play of the same name.
W
HAT mortal conflict drove me here to roam, Though many a maid I've left behind at home; Forth from the house, where dwelt my heart's dear
hope, I was turned by the hag at the twisting of the rope.
If thou be mine, be mine both day and night, If thou be mine, be mine in all men's sight, If thou be mine, be mine o'er all beside,— And O that thou wert now my wedded bride!
In Sligo first I did my love behold,
In Galway town I spent with her my gold:
But by this hand, if thus they me pursue,
I'll teach these dames to dance a measure new ! |
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THE WEARIN' O' THE GREEN
O
H, Paddy dear ! an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round? •
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground. |
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