Kathleen Mavourneen, the gray dawn is breaking,
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill,
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Kathleen Mavourneen, the gray dawn is breaking,
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill,
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking--
Kathleen Mavourneen, what, slumbering, still?
Oh hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh hast thou forgotten this day we must part?
It may be for years and it may be forever;
Oh why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?

Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.

Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.

But in vain she did conjure him,
To depart her presence so,
Having a thousand tongues t' read more

But in vain she did conjure him,
To depart her presence so,
Having a thousand tongues t' allure him
And but one to bid him go.
When lips invite,
And eyes delight,
And cheeks as fresh as rose in June,
Persuade delay,--
What boots to say
Forego me now, come to me soon.

Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well.

Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well.

She went her unremembering way,
She went and left in me
The pang of all the partings read more

She went her unremembering way,
She went and left in me
The pang of all the partings gone,
And partings yet to be.

Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart,
And often took leave; but was loth to part.

Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart,
And often took leave; but was loth to part.

In every parting there is an image of death.

In every parting there is an image of death.

They say be parted well and paid his score,
And so, God be with him.

They say be parted well and paid his score,
And so, God be with him.

If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed;
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.

If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed;
If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.