Lyrics
Yellow Bittern
Translated from the Irish of Cathal Buidhe MacGilla Ghunna (1690-1756) by Thomas MacDonough (1878-1916)
The Yellow Bittern that never broke out
In a drinking bout might as well have drunk.
His bones are thrown on a naked stone
Where he lived alone like a hermit monk.
Oh, Yellow Bittern, I pity your lot,
Though they say that a sot like myself is cursed.
I was sober a while, but I’ll drink and be wise,
For I fear I should die in the end of thirst.
It’s not for the common birds that I’d mourn--
The blackbird, the corn-crake, or the crane,
But for the bittern that’s shy and apart,
And that drinks in the marsh from the lone bog drain.
Oh, if I had known you were near your death,
While my breath held out I’d have run to you,
Till a splash from the lake of the sun of the bird
Your soul would have stirred and waked anew.
My darling told me to drink no more,
Or my life would be o’er in a little short while.
But I told her, tis drink gives me health and strength,
And will lengthen my road by many a mile.
You see how the bird of the long, smooth neck
Could get his death from the thirst at last,
Come, son of my soul, and drink your cup,
For you’ll get no sup when your life is past.
The Drinking Song
Words: Richard Sheridan
Arr: Steven Reese (BMI)
Here’s to the maiden of bashful fifteen
Here’s to the widow of fifty
Here’s to the flaunting extravagant queen
And here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty
Chorus
Let the toast pass, drink to the lass
I warrant she’ll prove an excuse for the glass
(repeat)
Here’s to the charmer whose dimples we prize
And now to the maid who has none, sir
Here’s to the girl with a pair of blue eyes
And here’s to the nymph with but one, sir
Chorus
Here’s to the maid with a bosom of snow
And to her that’s as brown as a berry
Here’s to the wife with a face full of woe
And now to the girl that is merry
Chorus
For let them be clumsy or let them be slim
Young or ancient I care not a feather
So fill a pint bumper right up to the brim
And let us then toast them together
Chorus
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