The opening tune is
'Come Back Paddy Reilly'
Page 3 of the poem by By Edward Walsh
His flowing locks mock'd the
dark raven's plume,
His carriage commanding high,
Bespoke the proud chieftain; but
silent gloom
O'erspread every bosom around
the room
Though none knew the reason
why.
His bright eye keen flash'd with
unearthly fire,
No mortal might its glow;
The guests of the banquet with
cold hearts retire,
The bard's fingers ceased o'er
the trembling wire,
His presence such fears bestow.
Ye guests of the banquet
surcease your dread;
Right courteous the Stranger
tall
He fills o'er the table the wine
bowl red,
He pledges the bride with low-
bending head -
The bridegroom and chieftain
and all.
He leads the young bride in the
circling dance,
Most regal his robes were seen;
The banquet guests viewed him
with eyes askance -
The bride, oh! She trembled
beneath his glance,
Though graceful and gay his mein.
How quick gleam her steps on
the marble floor,
And gentle her light foot sound
In the hall which her light foot
oft trod before,
As she led her gay handmaids
that marble o'er
To move in that mazy round.
'Tis done - when the murmurs
applausive ceased
The chief led the blooming bride
Where Malachy 'mid the high
chieftains placed
Presided supreme o'er the
nuptial feast,
Then sat by the maiden's side.
"Thy light step, fair bride" the
dark stranger said,
"But echoed the music's sound;
With fair blooming beauties the
dance I've led -
Their charms would have vanished,
their light step fled,
Wert thou in the mazy round.
I have young maid and her face
is thine,
And thine are her tresses long,
And thine is her dark eye of
light divine -
And Oh! If thou listen to strains
of mine
I'll sing to my fair a song." (continue)....
The Legend of Meelan
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