And I was born near St Bridget’s Well beneath its hills and streams,
And when I picture in my mind, oh, its memory, thoughts and dreams,
It nearly break my aching heart and it leaves me in troubling mind,
When I think of dear old Derreen and the girl I left behind.

I went down to Liscannor for to bid my friends adieu,
And I stood a while at Birchfield Gate, oh, the country for to view,
I viewed along that seashore where I spent many a time,
And it’s then my poor heart nearly broke for the girl I left behind.

Early then next morning with a sad and broken heart,
I told my comrades all around, with them I had to part,
With my girl’s arms around my neck and her eyes with tears were blind,
Sure, I tore out from her arms on the road to Clahandine.

But it’s now I’m in Americay, strange faces I meet there;
But there is none so true or kind to me as my own dear girl at home;
But when I’ll have made pockets of shining gold I’ll return and make her mine,
And it’s then we will live happy in a cot in Clahandine.

"According to the singer, this was composed locally by Tom Flanagan, a policeman, but it has obviously been re-written from the popular ‘The Girl I Left Behind’ to place its location around North Clare. Saint Bridget's Well is at Liscannor a few miles south of Luogh."

The above commentary, lyrics and recording are taken from ‘Around the Hills of Clare: Songs and Recitations from the Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie Collection’ (2004) Musical Traditions Records MTCD331-2/Góilín Records 005-6.

See also:
The Girl from Clahandine sung by Martin Howley