by William Allingham (1824 - 1889)
Kitty O'Hea
Language: English
Now, Kitty O'Hea, darling jewel, I wish you'd consider my case! O, who could believe you're so cruel To look in that beautiful face? Let roses be jealous, -- no matter! The sunshine's in love with your cheek; What singing-bird wouldn't I flatter To say it's her voice when you speak? Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, Kitty, give ear to my song. Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, Kitty, I'm courting you long. My thoughts I can never keep steady, No more nor a man in a dream, They caper like straws in an eddy, In place of pursuing the stream. Amusement or meat 1 don't care for, I moan like a cow gone astray; Myself knows the why and the wherefore, -- I'm thinking of Kitty O'Hea. Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, etc. I never objected, in reason, To bear with a slight or a scoff, But snow isn't always in season, And Lent isn't very far off. Shrove-Tuesday's the time for to shake one, And single I'll not pass the day, Young, old, maid or widow, I'll take one, -- So mind yourself, Kitty O'Hea ! Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, Kitty, give heed to my song. Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, Kitty, I'm courting too long !
Text Authorship:
- by William Allingham (1824 - 1889), "Kitty O'Hea", appears in Irish Songs and Poems, first published 1887 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Alicia Adélaïda Needham (1863 - 1945), "Kitty O'Hea", published 1902 [ voice and piano ], from Twelve Lyrics for Lovers [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-19
Line count: 33
Word count: 195