Five Poems by Pádraic Colum

Once I loved a maiden fair, 
Over the hills and far away, 
Lands she had and lovers to spare, 
Over the hills and far away. 

And I was stooped and troubled sore, 
And my face was pale, and the coat I wore 
Was thin as my supper the night before 
Over the hills and far away. 

Once I passed in the Autumn late, 
Over the hills and far away, 
Her bawn and barn and painted gate, 
Over the hills and far away. 

She was leaning there in the twilight space, 
Sweet sorrow was on her fair young face, 
And her wistful eyes were away from the place, 
Over the hills and far away. 

Maybe she thought as she watched me come, 
Over the hills and far away, 
With my awkward stride and my face so glum, 
Over the hills and far away. 

Spite of his stoop, he still is young, 
They say he goes the Shee among, 
Ballads he makes; I've heard them sung 
Over the hills and far away. 

She gave me good-night in gentle wise, 
Over the hills and far away, 
Shyly lifting to mine, dark eyes, 
Over the hills and far away. 

What could I do but stop and speak, 
And she no longer proud, but meek? 
She plucked me a rose like her wild-rose cheek -- 
Over the hills and far away.

To-morrow Mavourneen a sleeveen weds, 
Over the hills and far away, 
With corn in haggard and cattle in sheds, 
Over the hills and far away. 

And I who have lost her, the dear, the rare -- 
Well, I got me this ballad to sing at the fair, 
Twill bring enough money to drown my care, 
Over the hills and far away.