Beneath the Emerald Sky

[Verse] In the shade of an old stone by the river's gleaming line She sings her songs of sorrow Of days by the brine Her hair in windswept curls Eyes of emerald deep She tells tales of the ancients that make the willow weep [Verse 2] Underneath the briar Where wildflowers bloom Her heart's a crimson petal A beacon in the gloom She tends her little garden with hands of gentle grace A daughter of the island Time etched on her face [Chorus] Oh The Irish women With their enduring pride Through trials and the tempest They stand side by side With voices like the morning And spirits bold and free They guard the hearth of Éire Forever may they be [Verse 3] By the pale moon's lantern She whispers to the night Her words are soft yet heavy Borne of ancient might She knows the stories of old heroes Sung with quiet breath Of love and land and courage In life and unto death [Bridge] Fiddles cry and banjos hum all throughout the vale The violin's sweet whisper The flute's forlorn tale In her laughter There's a storm In her tears The sea In her silence You can hear the song of liberty [Verse 4] In fields of golden barley Her children play and run She watches with a tender gaze Proud of what they've done For each Irish maiden Taught tales of yore Is a guardian of our heritage Forever more