DANCING IN GLENROAN

By the turf fire brightly gleaming I am sitting idly dreaming,

For ‘tis pleasant to recall again the joys that we have known.

And I find upon reflection that my brightest recollection,

Is the fiddlers lifting music and the dancing in Glenroan

Every jig and reel I mind them, in my memory I can find them,

Bringing back the scenes of childhood and the joys that long have flown,

Though I’m growing old and weary still my heart is never dreary

When I dream the dream that brings me back the dancing in Glenroan.

Oh, the colleens were the sweetest, and their dancing was the neatest

You wouldn’t find their equal in the valleys of Tyrone

While the lads were gay but steady, you would always find them ready

With a Failte for the stranger to the dancing in Glenroan.

And while sitting here I ponder till my heart is filled with wonder

Why we ever leave such pleasure for a world so cold and lone

And I wish I were returning to begin again Life’s morning

But ‘tis only dreamland brings me back the dancing in Glenroan.

Now outside the snow is falling ever more and more recalling

To my memory, the long ago and joys that I have known

And my kindest thought are going with the breezes that are blowing

To drop the snowflakes gently on the hillsides of Glenroan.

And tho’ time for me’s advancing don’t I know there’s youngsters dancing

In some cottage by the Glenside where my thoughts tonight have flown

And that joy may aye betide them and the light of Heaven guide them

For Ireland will be Irish, while there’s dancing in Glenroan.