VAGRANT VERSE

Southland Times, Issue 20208, 20 June 1927, Page 6

VAGRANT VERSE

A HEALTH TO THE BIRDS. # Here’s a health to the birds one and all! A health to the birds great and small! The birds that from hill and hedge call, Through the highlands and islands of grey Donegal— Here’s a health to them, Health to them, Health to them all! Here’s a health to the mavis! A health to the mavis that sits on the thorn, And trolls a gay breastful to brighten the morn, And lighten the load of the man in the corn I May its breast ne’er be tuneless, its heart ne’er forlorn— A health to the mavis! Here’s a health to the linnet! A health to the linnet that lilts on the tree, The little green linnet so pretty to see, The linnet whose tinkling tones gladden the lea — High health, and heart-wealth, little linnet, to thee! A health to the linnet! Here’s a health to the blackbird! A health to the blackbird who hides in the bush, In the glen, far from men, where the dark rivers rush, And rolls a full soul in the round notes that gush From his silver-toned throat at dawning’s first flush — A health to the blackbird!

—Seumas MacManus, in “Ballade of a Country Boy.”