Shule Agra

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Lesley Nelson

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Sule Agra is a 17th century Irish song. The words are similar to those of Shule Aroon. The tunes Johnny's Gone for A Soldier and Sweet William are probably variants of this or Shule Aroon.

The "wild Geese" refers to an Irish Brigade (1691-1740) that fought for the Jacobite cause in Ireland and followed James to France to support him there.

His hair was black, his eye was blue
His arm was stout, his word was true
I wish in my heart, I was with you,
Go thee, thu Mavourneen slaun.
Shule, shule, shule agra
Only death can cease my woe,
Since the lad of my heart from me did go
Go thee thu Mavourneeen slaun!

I sold my rock, I sold my wheel
When my flax was spun, I sold my wheel
To buy my love a sword of steel.
Go thee, thu Mavourneen slaun.
Shule, shule, shule agra
Only death can cease my woe,
Since the lad of my heart from me did go
Go thee thu Mavourneeen slaun!

I'll dye my petticoat, I'll dye it red,
And round the world I'll beg my bread,
Till I find my love alive or dead,
Go thee, thu Mavourneen slaun.
Shule, shule, shule agra
Only death can cease my woe,
Since the lad of my heart from me did go
Go thee thu Mavourneeen slaun!

King James was routed in the fray;
The "wild-geese"went with him away,
My boy went too, that dreary day,
Go thee, thu Mavourneen slaun.
Shule, shule, shule agra
Only death can cease my woe,
Since the lad of my heart from me did go
Go thee thu Mavourneeen slaun!
Related Links
From
The Fireside Book of Favorite American Songs
See Bibliography for full information.