I'm sitting on the stile, Mary, where we once sat side by side

On a bright May morning long ago, when first you were my bride

The corn was springing fresh and green, and the lark sang loud and high

And the red was on your lips, Mary, and the love light in your eyes.

Tis but a step down yonder lane, the village Church stands near

The place where we were wed, Mary, I can see the spire from here

But the graveyard lies between, Mary, and my step might break your rest

Where I laid you darling down to sleep with a baby on your breast.

I'm very lonely now, Mary, for the poor make no new friends

But oh they love the better still the few our Father sends

For you were all I had, Mary, my blessing and my pride

And I've nothing left to care for now since my poor Mary died.

Yours was the good brave heart, Mary, that still kept hoping on

When the trust in God had left my soul and my arms young strength had gone

There was comfort ever on your lip and a kind look on your brow

And I thank you Mary for the same though you cannot hear me now.

I'm bidding you a long farewell, my Mary kind and true

But I'll not forget you, darling, in the land I'm going to

They say there's bread and work for all, and the sun shines always there

But I'll ne'er forget old Ireland, were it fifty times as fair.

And often in those grand old woods I'll sit and shut my eyes

And my heart will wander back again to the place where Mary lies

And I think I'll see that little stile where we sat side by side

In the springing corn and the bright May morn' when first you were my bride.