My heart beat faintly
And my efforts are weakened
A grief too deep for words
Fills my breast
For I am to be banished
From the fair hills of Erin
Aimless my life then
And tragic my fate
I recall, my soul's delight
In days gone by
My love surrendered
To your bewitching gaze
Merciful God
I would far rather perish
Here with my own folk
And my fair-haired boy
The fair land of Erin
Lies in bondage so brutal
The sad, tormented
Prisioner of her foes
Is it her fate then
To be forever weeping
That proud little isle
Of the saint and the bard?
I should this my prayer
To great God our Father
Let death and destruction
Be the fate of John
Who banished so many
Across the great water
And parted forever
My fair lad and me