The Irish Wife - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
THE IRISH WIFE. By Thos. D'Arcy McGee. 
I would not give my Irish wife For all the dames of the Saxon land-I would not give my Irish wife For the Queen of France's hand; For she to me is dearer Than castles strong, or lands, or life-An outlaw, so I'm near her To love, till death, my Irish wife. 
Oh! what would be this home of mine-A ruined, hermit-haunted place, But for the light that nightly shines 'Pon its walls from Kathleen's face? What comfort is a mint of gold-What pleasure in a royal life-If the heart within lay dead and cold, If I could not have wed my Irish wife? 
When the law forbade the banns, I knew my king abhorred her race; Who never bent before their clans, Must bow before their ladies' grace. Take all my forfeited domain, I cannot wage with kinsmen strife, Take knightly gear and noble name, And I will keep my Irish wife. 
My Irish wife has clear blue eyes, My heaven by day, my stars by night; And twinlike truth and fondness lie Within her swelling bosom white; My Irish wife has golden hair; Appollo's harp had once such strings; Appollo's self might pause to hear Her bird-like carol when she sings. 
I would not give my Irish wife For all the dames of the Saxon land-I would uot give my Irish wife For the Queen of Fiance's hand; For she to me is dearer Than castles strong, or lands, or life-In death I would near her, And rise beside my Irish wife.