Lyrics

Oh the cold winds from the mountains are calling soft to me
The smell of scented heather brings bitter memories
The wild and lonely eagle, up in the summer’s skies
Flies high over Shanagolden where my young Willie lies

I met him in the winter time when the snow was on the ground
The Irish hills were peaceful and love was all around
Scarcely twenty years old, a young man in his prime
We were married, darling Willie, by the eve of Christmas time

Do you remember darling we walked the moonlit roads?
I held you in my arms love; I would never let you go
Ours hands they were entwined my love all in the pale moonlight
By the fields of Shanagolden on a lonely winters night

Then came the call to arms love and the hills they were aflame
Down from the silent mountains the Saxon stranger came
I held you in my arms then, my young heart wild with fear
Near the fields of Shanagolden in the springtime of the year

And you fought them darling Willie all through the summer’s day
I heard the rifles firing in the mountains far away
I held you in my arms then and your blood ran free and bright
And you died by Shanagolden on a lonely summer’s night

Oh but that was long ago my love, now our son grows fine and tall
The hills they are at piece again, the Saxon stranger gone
There’s roses on your grave, my love, there’s an eagle in the sky
Flying high over Shanagolden where my young Willie lies
Flys high over Shanagolden where my young Willie lies