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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MY PROUD DARK-EYED SAILOR by ALFRED PERCEVAL GRAVES

First Line: MY BRAVE BOY IS FAR FROM ME

My brave boy is far from me,
Oh, my sorrow, on a strange, distant shore-
My proud, dark- eyed sailor,
When shall I see him once more?
With heart near to the breaking,
In the harvest field lonesome I bind.
It is alone I'm hay- making,
When each girl has her boy close and kind.


Ah, heavy the steps I take,
As to Chapel on the Sunday I walk.
Since he's not to meet me,
With his fond looks and low, tender talk;
While my rose-tree richly flowering,
Whose blossom he plucked for my breast,
Its petals sadly is showering,
At the long, bitter blast from the West.


But deep down within my heart,
There's a dear hope we'll be meeting next spring,
My proud, dark- eyed sailor!
And our marriage bells sweetly shall ring;
Till beside you walking, high-headed,
Under Castle O'Neill's shining towers,
Upon your arm, when we're wedded,
We'll pass through a pelting of flowers.




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