Sitting On The Stile

(Traditional)

This beautiful Irish immigrant song was brought to Merasheen by the Casey family who moved there from Little Bona.  It vividly related the reflections of an old Irish immigrant who, in moments of peace, remembers happier days before he lost his wife and baby and moved to a new homeland. It was often sung by Joe Casey and his two sisters, Annie (Ennis) and Loretta (Pomroy).
Sung here by Gabe Pomroy of Merasheen  

I'm sittin' on the stile, Mary,
where we sat side by side,
On a bright May mornin' long ago
when first you were my bride;
The corn was springin' fresh and green,
and the lark sang loud on high,
The smile was on your lips, Mary,
and the love-light in your eye.

The place has little changed, Mary
the days are bright as then,
The lark's loud song is in my ear,
and the corn is green again;
But I miss the soft clasp of your hand
and your breath warm on my cheek,
I'm listening for the words Mary,
you never more will speak.

Just take a step down yonder lane,
the little church stands near,
The church where we were wed, Mary,
you can see its tower from here;
But the graveyard lies where Mary sleeps,
and my steps might break your rest,
For I've laid you, darling, down to sleep
with your baby on your breast.

I'm very lonely now, Mary,
for the poor make no new friends,
But, oh I love them better for
the few our Father sends!
And you were all I had, Mary,
my blessin' and my pride,
There's no one left to care for me,
since my poor Mary died.

I'm biddin' you a fond farewell,
my Mary - kind and true!
I'll not forget you, darling,
in the land I'm goin' to;
They say there's bread and work for all,
and the sun shines always there,
But I'll not forget old Ireland
were it fifty times as fair!

And oft times in that grand old woods
I'll sit and close my eyes,
And my mind will wander back again
to that place where Mary lies;
I'll think I'll see that grand old stile
where we sat side by side,
With the springin' corn, on a bright May morn
when first you were my bride.