Jackets Green

Jackets Green - Eileen Donaghy

When I was a maiden fair and young

On the pleasant banks of the Lee

No bird that in the green wood sung

Was half so blithe and free

My heart near beat with flying feet

No love sang me her queen

And down the glen rode Sarsfield's men

And they wore the jackets green

Young Donal sat on his gallant grey

Like a king on a royal seat

And my heart leaped out on his regal way

To worship at his feet

O love had you come in those colours dressed

And wooed with a soldier's mein

I'd have laid my head on your throbbing breast

For the sake of your Irish green

No hoarded wealth did my true love own

Save the Lord sword that he bore

But I loved him for himself alone

And the colour bright he wore

For had he come in England's red

To make me England's queen

I'd rove the bright green hills instead

For the sake of the Irish green

When William stormed with shot and shell

At the walls of Garryowen

In the breach of death my Donal fell

And he sleeps near the Treaty Stone

That breach the foeman never crossed

While he swung his broadsword keen

But I do not weep my darling lost

For he fell in his jacket green

Oh Ireland sad in my lonely soul

And loud beats the winter seas

But sad are and higher the wild waves roll

For the hearts that break for thee

Yet grief shall come to our heartless foes

And their thrones in the dust be seen

So Irish maids love none but those

Who wear the jackets green