Spancill Hill Lyrics - Hazel O'connor

(traditional) 

One night as he lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by 

His mind being bent on rambling to lreland he did fly 

he stepped on a vision and he followed with the wind, 

when at last he came to anchor at the cross of Spancill Hill. 

Then on the 23rd of June the day before the fair, 

When Ireland's sons and daughters and 

friends assembled there. 

The young and the old, the brave and 

the bold cametheir dutie to fulfill 

At the Parish Church in Clooney a mile from Spancill Hill. 

He went to see his neighbours to see how they did fare, 

The old ones were all dead and gone 

the young ones turning grey. 

He met with tailor Quigley he's as funny as ever still, 

Johnny used to patch his britches 

when he lived in Spancill Hill. 

He paid a flying visit to his one and only love, 

She's as gentle as a puppy and as pretty as a doll 

She threw her arms around me saying, 

Johnny I love you still, 

Sure she's Ned the farmer's daughter and the pride of Spancill Hill. 

He dreamt he held, he kissed her as many a time before, 

Oh Johnny you're only joking as many a time before. 

The cock he crowed in the morning he crowed 

both clear and shrill, 

He awoke in California many miles from Spancill Hill.