Hey Folks
This is a traditional Irish Folk song.
It was written by a guy called Michael Considine some time in the mid 1800s.
Considine only reached the age of 23 years old (1850 - 1873)
He was one of many Irish immigrant's who left Ireland to pursue a better life in America.
The song is sung from the point of view of man who misses his home, family and friends.
"Spancil Hill"
Michael Considine
Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
Me mind being bent on rambling, to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on board a vision, and I followed with the wind
'Til I quickly came to anchor at the cross on Spancil Hill
It being on the 23rd of June, the day before the fair
When Ireland's sons and daughters had all assembled there
The young, the old, the brave the bold, their duty to fulfill
At the parish church in Clooney, a mile from Spancil Hill
I went to see me neighbors, to see what they might say
The old ones they were dead and gone, the young ones turning gray
I met with tailor Quigley, he's as bold as ever still
Ah, he used to mend me britches when I lived in Spancil Hill
I paid a flying visit to my first and only love
She's as fair as any lily, gentle as a dove
And she threw her arms around me saying, "Johnny, I love you still"
She's Mick the rangers daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill
I dreamed I held and kissed her as in the days of yore
She said Johnny, you're only jokin', as many's the time before
Then the cock, crew in the morning, he crew both loud and shrill
Til I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill
Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
Me mind being bent on rambling, to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on board a vision, and I followed with the wind
'Til I quickly came to anchor at the cross on Spancil Hill