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An Emigrant's Daughter
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An Emigrant's Daughter
Poem & Song
Submitted by Barry Taylor
taylorbn[at]shaw.ca
taylorbn[at]shaw.ca
Listen to a professional version of the ballad at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DpxraOl3A
Tune: The Grenadier and the Lady
Lyrics by Barry Taylor 1998
Oh please ne'er forget me though waves now lie o'er me
I was once young and pretty and my spirit ran free
But destiny tore me from country and loved ones
And from the new land I was never to see.
A poor emigrant's daughter too frightened to know
I was leaving forever the land of my soul
Amid struggle and fear my parents did pray
To place courage to leave o'er the longing to stay.
They spoke of a new land far away 'cross the sea
And of peace and good fortune for my brothers and me
So we parted from townland with much weeping and pain
'Kissed the loved ones and the friends we would ne'er see again.
The vessel was crowded with disquieted folk
The escape from past hardship sustaining their hope
But as the last glimpse of Ireland faded into the mist
Each one fought back tears and felt strangely alone.
The seas roared in anger, making desperate our plight
And a fever came o'er me that worsened next night
Then delirium possessed me and clouded my mind
And I, for a moment, saw that land left behind.
I could hear in the distance my dear mother's wailing
And the prayers of three brothers that I'd see no more
And I felt father's tears as he begged for forgiveness
For seeking a new life on the still distant shore.
Oh please ne'er forget me though waves now lie o'er me
I was once young and pretty and my spirit ran free
But destiny tore me from country and loved ones
And from the new land I was never to see.
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This ballad tells the true story of the emigration of my
Irish ancestors.
In 1842 my great great great grandfather, Samuel Huston, his wife Elizabeth
and his four children left County Tyrone, Ireland, to emigrate to Canada.
Their only daughter, whom I believe to have been in her early teens,
died during that voyage. This is her story... as seen through her eyes and
as sung through her voice.
The tune is an adaptation of an old English ballad 'The Grenadier and the Lady';
the lyrics are new; the story is but one of the many recalling the courage
of the pioneer settlers who built our great country.
Note to Performers: This song is royalty-free for both performance and recording
purposes, but I would appreciate an acknowledgement. Barry Taylor, Victoria,
British Columbia, Canada taylorbn[at]shaw.ca