Classic Poem

When Hughie Gallagher came home, his bosom filled with pride,
And brought to Dooran, as his own, his bonnie Fairy Bride,
The people gazed on her dismayed. The Widow stroked her chin.
" She's nice enough, " the Widow said. " But my! she's very thin! "

" Thin's not the word, " said Eamon Wor. " To meet the work in hand
A ranny like her never yet was seen in all the land;
She's just the woman that meself would never want to own.
Thin's not the word, " said Eamon Wor. " She's only skin and bone. "

" More bones than skin, " said Norah Friel. " Sure, I did never see
A rachary like Hughie's wife, so doncy and so wee.
He sure could hide her in his boot or house her in his cap!
I never saw a thing like that get married on a chap! "

Said Fergus Dhu who dug for spuds: " God help us, but she's small,
The like of her was never seen in County Donegal.
The way she walks, the way she talks, her figure, cut and shape!
I've hoked up pratees twice as big at Lammas on a graip "

Neal Hudagh laughed a mighty laugh, as if his sides would break —
" Poor Hughie Gallagher, " he said. " It's you that has the cheek
To take that thing to tend your home. And married to her now,
You'll never see her bake or sow, nor churn, nor milk a cow. "

Said Myles O'Malley: " Grosha Yagh! that such a thing I've seen!
God help you, Hughie Gallagher, you and your Fairy Queen!
You've house and home and stock and store, but all will go to pot,
Because the woman that ye need is what ye haven't got. "

Now Hughie turned him to his wife and looked at her and said:
" Than house ourselves in Dooran, dear, we'd better far be dead.
We'll scoot, my love! " And as he spoke he caught her by the hand.
And both together toddled off again to Fairy-land.