Galway Bay
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John Renfro Davis
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Lyrics
There are two songs named Galway Bay. This is the older version, written by Francis A. Fahy (born in 1850). The air is My Irish Molly, O.

The other version begins:

If you ever go
Across the sea to Ireland,
Then maybe at the
Closing of your day,
You will sit and watch
The moon rise over Cladagh
And see the sun
Go down on Galway Bay.

That version was was written in 1947 by Dr. Arthur Colahan. The copyright is held by Box and Cox Publications of London.

It's far away I am today
From scenes I roamed a boy
And long ago the hour, I know
I first saw Illinois
But Time not Tide, not waters wide,
Can wean my heart away
For ever true it flies to you
My own dear Galway Bay

A prouder man I'd walk the lad
In health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and moil,
Nor cast one thought behind;
But what would be the world to me,
Its rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
My poor old Galway Bay.

Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
The rugged rocks abound,
But sweeter green the grass between
Than grows on Irish ground.
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond,
And love that lives alway,
Bless each poor home beside your foam,
My dear old Galway Bay.

Had I youth's blood and hopeful mood
And heart of fire once more,

For all the gold the earth might hold,
I'd never quit your shore;
I'd live content whate'er God sent,
With neighbours old and grey,
And lay my bones 'neath churchyard stones,
Beside you, Galway Bay.

The blessing of a poor old man
Be with you night and day,
The blessings of a lonely man
Whose heart will soon be clay.
'Tis all the Heaven I'd ask of God
Upon my dying day -
My soul to soar for evermore
Above you, Galway Bay.
Related Links
From Irish Ballads and Songs of the Sea
See Bibliography for full information.