Thomas Moore

May 28, 1780 - Feb 26, 1852

 

She Is Far From The Land

by Thomas Moore

She is far from the land where her young hero sleeps,
And lovers are round her sighing,
But coldly she turns from their gaze, and weeps,
For her heart in his grave is lying!

She sings the wild song of her dear native plains,
Every note which he lov'd awaking --
Ah! little they think, who delight in her strains,
How the heart of the Minstrel is breaking!

He had liv'd for his love, for his country he died,
They were all that to life had entwin'd him, --
Nor soon shall the tears of his country be dried,
Nor long will his love stay behind him!

Oh! make her a grave, where the sunbeams rest,
When they promise a glorious morrow;
They'll shine o'er her sleep, like a smile from the west,
From her own lov'd island of sorrow!


Sarah Curran (daughter of the great Irish orator) and Robert Emmett were plighted lovers. This Song is understood to commemorate the grief of Miss Curran after the tragic death of Emmett.

Source:

The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore.
Copyright undated, very old
The Walter Scott Publishing Co. Ltd.