Farewell to old Ireland the land of my fathers
It’s now I am going for ever to leave
Farewell to the land where the shamrock adorn
The birthplace of freedom and home of the brave
When I think on those valleys with fond admiration, --
I thought ne’er again its green hills I might see –
But my thoughts they shall wander to the thoughts of old Ireland
When we reach the green fields of America.

It’s hard to be forced from the land that we live in
Our houses and farms obliged for to sell
And to wander alone amongst Indians and strangers
To find some safe place for our children to dwell
Our farmers, our artists and tradesmen are going
To seek for employment far over the sea
Where they will get riches with peace and industry
There’s nothing but hardship at home if you stay.

There’s one bonnie lassie I now will bring with me
Her dwelling-in place in the County Tyrone
It’d break my heart for to leave her behind me
So we’ll roam together this wide world all o’er
So here’s to my Bessie my one blue-eyed lassie
Bid farewell to your parents and then come with me
I’ll do my endeavour my love to maintain you
When we reach the green fields of America.

*There’s wine in Toronto at a shilling a bottle
There’s gin in New Brunswick at a penny a glass
There’s ale in that famed town they call fair Montreal, boys,
The devil be with us if we don’t take a glass
Come fill up your glasses you lads and gay lasses
There’s gold for the winning and lots of it too.
Success to the heart that has courage to wander
Misfortune to him or to her that should rue.

Our ship she is lying in fair Derry Harbour
Just waiting to take us safe over the main
So heaven be our pilot and bring us strong breezes
Till we reach the green fields of America
Come to the land where we will live happy
Don’t be afraid of the storm or the sea
For it’s when we get over we will surely discover
That this is a land of sweet Liberty.

* This line was not in Len’s version.