Irish Examiner 1st July, 1876 p.5
I toast I give – a health I pledge
Here’s to the girls of Galway!
May sorrow blunt its pointed edge
For them, the girls of Galway!
The fleet of foot – the sweet of smile
The warm of heart – the free from guile
Oh, the genuine daughters of the Isle
Are they, the girls of Galway!
Should you a token ask, by which
You’ll know the girls of Galway
Whom grade and beauty most enrich
These are the girls of Galway!
Descended from the noble race
Of Celt and Spaniard, you can trace
Their lineage in each speaking face
Of the dark-eyed girls of Galway!
Dianas in the hunting field
Are they, the girls of Galway!
‘Gainst craven fear their hearts are steeled
Courageous girls of Galway!
And yet no Amazons are they,
But loving, soft and womanly.
Who can withstand their witchery
The lovely girls of Galway?
With more than Andalusian pride
Step out the girls of Galway!
Oh, ‘mid a thousand else beside,
I’d know the girls of Galway!
Where Pleasure holds her festive sway
No eye so bright, no laugh so gay,
No wit so sparkling in its play
As theirs, the girls of Galway!
Impulsive, open as the day,
Are they, the girls of Galway!
Possessed of every generous trait,
Are they, the girls of Galway!
And naught ignoble, base, or mean,
Finds place where every act’s a queen,
Their very “faults to virtue loan”
The high souled girls of Galway!
Then may they proudly flourish long,
The graceful girls of Galway!
The theme of poetry and song,
The peerless of Galway!
Oh, you may search from Pole to Pole,
Ere you can find the perfect whole
Of charms unique and generous soul
To march the girls of Galway!
A toast I give – a health I pledge
Here’s to the girls of Galway!
May sorrow blunt its pointed edge
For them, the girls of Galway!
The fleet of foot, the sweet of smile
The warm of heart, the free from guile
Oh, the genuine daughters of the Isle
Are they the girls of Galway!
A. McC
The Burren and Beyond 