As The Ship Sailed Away From Old Ireland - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
AS THE SHIP SAILED AWAY FROM OLD. IRELAND. Copyright, 1893, by Louis Haas. Words and Music by Sailor Burton. 
One day on the docks I stood, watching the ships; But one in particular there, I noticed, was just going to leave the old land-Thought I, a few moments I'd spare, To hear the good-byes and to watch lovers part, As the shin sailed away with the tide. I wondered how many on board would return. To sit by their own fireside. I saw a fond mother shake hands with her boy; As the tears dimmed her eyes she looked pale. I'll picture to you all the scenes that I saw, As the vessel was just going to sail, and ahoy. 
Chorus. Friends they were saying good-bye, good-bye, Tears they stood, yes, in ev'ry eye: Fond mothers cried, true lovers sighed, As the ship sailed away from old Ireland. 
I saw a young fellow, and an Irishman true, A young girl stood close by his side; Said he, "Norah, darling, when I've made a home, You can come and be Dennis' bride. I like the old land and the loved ones at home, But think of the sorrow and strife That runs through our isle, and Norah, my own, Over there you can ne'er be my bride: But in a new land I will work with a will, Out westward your Dennis won't fail." But one kiss-they part, who knows, perhaps for life, As the vessel was just going to sail, and ahoy.-Chorus. 
Now the next scene was touching -an old couple there Were bidding a youngster farewell: He'd done something wrong in a mad, boyish freak, And he dreaded a cold pris'n cell. So the old folks were sending him far o'er the sea, But, just as they said their good-bye, Two soldiers, a sergeant and a private, were seen. Then the tears dimmed the old couple's eyes, For the youngster was charged with desertion-poor lad, He shiver's and turned deathly cold, For it killed the old woman, she died on the quay, As the vessel was just going to sail, and ahoy.-Chorus.