The old claddagh ring

Sure it was my grandmother's

She wore it a lifetime and gave it to me

All through the long years she wore it so proudly 

It was made where the Claddagh

Rolls down to the sea

What tales it could tell of trials and of hardships

And of grand happy days

When the whole world would sing

So away with your sorrw,

'Twill bring love tomorrow

Sure everyone loves it the old claddagh ring

With a crown and a crest to remind us of honour

And clasping the heart 

That God's message would bring

A circle of gold always kept us contented

With true love entwined in the old claddagh ring

As she knelt at her prayers

And thought of her drear ones

Her soft gentle smile would charm a King

On her worn hands as she told me her story

You could see the bright glint 

On the gold claddagh ring



My thoughts today though I'm far away

Belong to Connell's shores

The saucy air and the cailins fair

And lovely green Gweedore

There's a flower there beyond compare

That I cherish evermore

That grand cailin in her gown of green

She's the rose of Oranmore



I was dreaming of old Ireland

And Killarney's lakes and fells

I was dreaming of the shamrocks

And the dear old Shandon Bells

My memory suggested

In a vision bright and clear

Of the strange things that could happen

If we had old Ireland here

If the Blarney stones stood out on Sydney Harbour

And Dublin town to Melbourne came to stay

If the river Shannon flowed

Through Brisbane waters

And Killarney's lakes flowed into Botany Bay

If the Shandon Bells rang out in old Freemantle

And County Cork at Adelaide did appear

Ireland's sons would never roam

They would always stay at thome

If we only had old Ireland over here

Irelands sons would never roam

They would always stay at home

If we only had old Ireland over here