The Leaving of Limerick
As I roved out one evening down by the Assembly Mall,
I heard two lovers speaking, as me and my love passed on.
But the words that came between them, they were but very few;
It’s not the leaving of Limerick that grieves me,
But my darling, leaving you
In the morning when I am going, I will take you by the lily white hand
And I'll wave it o'er my shoulder in adieu to the Limerick strand
So farewell to the boys of Thomond Gate, it’s to them I'll bid adieu
It’s not the leaving of Limerick that grieves me,
But my darling, leaving you
When I think of the pleasant days we spent, in search of treasure’s trove
And the days we spent in courting away in Gabbott’s Grove.
I did not then deceive you when I vowed my heart was true
It’s not the leaving of Limerick that grieves me,
But my darling, leaving you
And now that we must be parted, I hope you will understand
Why I must go broken hearted, far away from my native land
Though my fond love I must leave you, you know my heart is true
It’s not the leaving of Limerick that grieves me,
But my darling, leaving you
I would like to dedicate this song ‘The Leaving of Limerick’ to the memory of Nora Butler Swan who often sang it as one of her own favourites. Suaimhneas síoraí ar a hanam uasal dílis.
