The following song is respectfully dedicated to the inhabitants of the
Emerald Isle as a small token of regard and acknowledgment of the pleasure
of their musical genius and other endearing qualities afforded the Captain
and Officers of the Cable Ship "Minea" during their long detention caused
by fog.

To the tune of "God Bless the Prince of Wales"  *

Sweet Emerald Isle, Farewell


How hard it is to say good-bye
To friends so kind and dear
The parting ever bring a sigh,
And oft a bitter tear.
The happy isle we'll ne'er forget
Though now for aye we part,
It's mem'ry will bring gladness yet
To cheer an aching heart.

Chorus:
Then lend your voices loud awhile
And give a hearty cheer
For Wrayton's and the Emerald Isle
God bless them be our prayer.

As o'er the mighty deep we roam
To mend the broken link.
We'll ne'er forget your happy home
Nor cease of your to think,
The fair ones near our heart we place
Whose smiles are sweet and bright
Where images we'll ne'er deface
Hurrah for Aggie's light.

Chorus:

Now may the King and Queen my boys,
Of this most charming spot.
Have richest blessings, many joys
Contentment be their lot,
Arthur and our friends within
The matrimonial sphere
Oh! may you richest blessings win,
To drive away dull care.

Chorus:

For Bella's sweet melodious lays,
For Maggie's bright black eyes,
For Aggies's many winning ways,
All strenghthen friendships tie.
Sweet Cassie all our love first won
Her charming smiles are sweet.
And Love, the Hero with his gun
Will ne'er his equal meet.

Chorus:

Right jovial son of Erin's Land
And your thrice happy wife,
May both glide smoothly hand in hand,
Adown the stream of life.
So farewell true and gen'rous hearts
We part but for awhile.
We'll ne'er find friends in foreign parts
Like those of Emerald Isle.

Chorus:
.........................................................................

Goodnight, Goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say goodnight until tomorrow.


Shakespeare's
Romeo & Juliet

The scroll that this song was printed on, was the possession of Mrs. Dora McDonnell of Ashern, Manitoba as of Feb 1987. We copied it some ten years before in Sept 1977 while visiting her. Mrs. McDonnell has since passed away.

The scroll is now (Nov. 2000) with her son Howard McDonnell in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

While the framed scroll is not dated, it was probably written sometime after 1862 but before 1879 when Michael drowned and Maria died. My guess was in the 1870's as the children would have been old enough to create the impressions upon the author.  

* In March 2006, Tammy McDonnell has  been successful in finding the melody and words for "God Bless the Prince of Wales"  See this site:  http://ingeb.org/songs/ardwysog.html  

Wray McDonnell
Kelowna, B.C.
April 20, 1992