The Girl I Left Behind Me

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com

The dames of France are fond and free     

 And Flemish lips are willing

 And soft the maids of Italy

 And Spanish eyes are thrilling

Still, though I bask beneath their smile

 Their charms fail to bind me

And my heart goes back to Erin's Isle

 To the girl I left behind me

For she's as fair as Shannon's side

And purer than its water

But she refused to be my bride

Though many years I sought her

Yet, since to France I sailed away

Her letters oft remind me

That I promised never to gainsay

The girl I left behind me  

She says: "My own dear love come home

My friends are rich and many

Or else, abroad with you I'll roam

A soldier stout as any

If you'll not come, nor let me go

I'll think you have resigned me

My heart nigh broke when I answered "No,"

 To the girl I left behind me

For never shall my true love brave

A life of war and toiling

And never as a skulking slave

I'll tread my native soil on

But were it free or to be free

The battle's close would find me

To Ireland bound, nor message need

From the girl I left behind me  

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com