Exiles Return

When winter comes and all is silent,
 the saddled mare is tightly bound.
 Fox she prowls on down by the moonlight.
 Snow lays thickly on the ground.
 Though we bid farewell in sorrow,
 we will meet again in distant lands
 and drink a health in joy for parting
 when the exile will return again
 The hearth is hard to leave this long night
 We face a long and a treacherous road
 Hard times must be faced undaunted
 Our loved ones lighten up our load
 Though we bid farewell in sorrow,
 we may meet again in distant lands
 and drink a health in joy for parting
 when the exile will return again
 The distant cairn of Cnoc na Ré stands
 Bare and bleached o'er Queen Medb's tomb
 O'Hara's castle stands undaunted
 Waiting for her lands to bloom
 Though we bid farewell in sorrow,
 we may meet again in distant lands
 and drink a health in joy for parting
 when the exile will return again
 The night is cold, the children are sleeping
 Restful dreams of Tir na nÓg
 Jeanie Johnston's bound for sailing
 Now my friend it's time to go
 Though we bid farewell in sorrow,
 we may meet again in distant lands
 and drink a health in joy for parting
 when the exile will return again
 Though we bid farewell in sorrow,
 we may meet again in distant lands
 and drink a health in joy for parting
 when the exile will return again
 when the exile will return again