Like Gaelic poets of ancient Ireland,
Who visioned Mother Ireland
As goddess strange or silken cow,
The old dame I, too, sighted.
Who visioned Mother Ireland
As goddess strange or silken cow,
The old dame I, too, sighted.
When I saw her some distance off,
With respect I doffed my cap,
As drawing near, I heard her sing:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
With respect I doffed my cap,
As drawing near, I heard her sing:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
Though she is rather old now
And toothless, as I gather,
She seemed happy with her kids,
As round her they all chattered.
And toothless, as I gather,
She seemed happy with her kids,
As round her they all chattered.
She had doctors, lawyers, engineers,
And bankers on her lap,
As she hummed away so proudly:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
And bankers on her lap,
As she hummed away so proudly:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
Yes, she can be proud now:
Her sons have done her credit;
No longer are they peasants -
Her family have made it.
Her sons have done her credit;
No longer are they peasants -
Her family have made it.
I paused to view the happy scene,
And on a rock I sat.
The children tussled as children will:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
And on a rock I sat.
The children tussled as children will:
“Der deep a dimmy dap.”
Then I drew close again.
Did I hear a note of pain, perhaps?
Or just age showing as she sings,
“Der deep a dimmy dap?”
Did I hear a note of pain, perhaps?
Or just age showing as she sings,
“Der deep a dimmy dap?”
Her children tussled on her knees;
Yes, viciously they scrapped,
And, now, I hear her words so clear:
“Their teeth are in my paps.”
Yes, viciously they scrapped,
And, now, I hear her words so clear:
“Their teeth are in my paps.”
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