For other versions of this work, see Keene.
3019421National Lyrics, and Songs for Music — Keene, or Lament of an Irish Mother over her SonFelicia Hemans




KEENE, OR LAMENT OF AN IRISH MOTHER OVER HER SON.




This lament is intended to imitate the peculiar style of the Irish Keenes, many of which are distinguished by a wild and and deep pathos, and other characteristics analogous to those of the national music.




KEENE, OR LAMENT OF AN IRISH MOTHER OVER HER SON.




Darkly the cloud of night comes rolling on;
Darker is thy repose, my fair-haired son!
Silent and dark.

There is blood upon the threshold
    Whence thy step went forth at morn,
Like a dancer's in its fleetness,
    O my bright first-born!


At the glad sound of that footstep,
    My heart within me smiled;
—Thou wert brought me back all silent
    On thy bier, my child!



Darkly the cloud of night comes rolling on;
Darker is thy repose, my fair-haired son!
Silent and dark.

I thought to see thy children
    Laugh on me with thine eyes;
But my sorrow's voice is lonely
    Where my life's flower lies.
    
I shall go to sit beside thee,
    Thy kindred's graves among;
I shall hear the tall grass whisper—
    I shall hear it not long!


Darkly the cloud of night comes rolling on;
Darker is thy repose, my fair-haired son!
Silent and dark.

And I too shall find slumber
    With my lost one, in the earth;
— Let none light up the ashes
    Again on our hearth!

Let the roof go down!—let silence
    On the home for ever fall,
Where my boy lay cold, and heard not
    His lone Mother's call!


Darkly the cloud of night comes rolling on;
Darker is thy repose, my fair-haired son!
Silent and dark.