Times Were Hard For Mayo Farms; There Was No Room For Me

My Parents Then Concluded I Must Ship Across The Sea

To Seek Employment In The Homes, Of Boston's Rich And Grand

And Help My Family To Withstand The Want In Ireland



My Mother Said A Prayer For Me, My Father Hid His Weeping

I Made A Promise To Myself That I Am Ever Keeping

Despite The Troubles That May Come, The Hard Times I Might Know

I'll Never Trade My Island Green For Castles Made Of Gold



Though My Given Name Is Aoise, They Call Me Bridget Here

I've Worked My Hands To Bleeding In The Laundry Tubs Three Years

I Send My Wages Home Each Month And A Letter I Dictate

And I Dream Of Mayo All The Time, Both Sleeping And Awake



I Do Not Want For Very Much, And People Aren't Unkind

I Have Ribbons For My Hair Now, And A Sunday Dress So Fine

But I Miss The Hills Of My Native Home, Where I Labored And I Played

And I Dream Of Mayo All The Time, Every Night And Day



It's Fifteen Years Have Passed Me Now, I've Raised My Only Son

I Brought My Sisters Over, Though My Parents Are Long Gone

I Keep My Prayers And Songs Alive, Build Castles Out Of Hope

And I Think Of Mayo When I Can As The Troubles Come And Go



I Could Never Take The Measure Of All I've Left Behind

Some Would Say The Treasures I Have Lost

Could Ne'er Be Bought Again

Not For Streets All Paved In Diamonds, Or Castles Made Of Gold

All I've Left Of Ireland Now Is All My Heart Can Hold

All I've Left Of Ireland New Is All My Heart Can Hold



Sometimes Around Midnight, When All The Worlds' Abed

I Sit Alone Beside The Fire And Dream Of Times Long Fled

And I Dream Of Mayo Half-awake, And Then Again Asleep

And I Wonder If My Life Right Here Might Really Be As Sweet



I Dream Of Mayo Half-awake And Then Again Asleep

And I Think The Homesickness That Pains Might Someday Finally Heal

For All The Times Both Hard And Fine -the Dreams I've Lost And Sold

I've Never Traded My Island Green For Castles Made Of