Classic Poem

Kathaleena! Kathaleena!
Through the green, bird-haunted valley,
Through the brook-bright, windy meadow,
Through the dim mysterious forest,
All the birds are calling thee;
All the brooks their voices rally,
Shout thy name through sun and shadow,
Cry, " Bring back the light thou borest
From our fields, Astore Machree " !
Kathaleena! Kathaleena!

Kathaleena! Kathaleena!
In the land where now thou strayest
Have the sombre hills grown brighter,
Have the birds a richer singing,
Since thy lovely soul is there?
Surely, surely skies the greyest,
Hearts the saddest, must grow lighter,
Where thy tender voice is, bringing
Blessed dreams and visions fair.
Kathaleena! Kathaleena!

Kathaleena! Kathaleena!
Ah return to those who call thee,
Come once more to us who wander
Through the ways thou leavest lonely,
Vales that wait for love and thee:
Let no stranger-lands enthrall thee,
Dream no foreign hearts are fonder
Than the heart that longs for only
Thy low voice. Ah come, Machree!
Kathaleena! Kathaleena!