Only A Sod
By Henry Lawson
It's only a sod, but twill break me ould heart
Nigh hardened wid toilin and carin,
And make the ould wounds in it tingle and smart.
Its only a sod, but its parcel and part
Of strugglin, sufferin Erin.
Its only a sod, but it rakes the ould pain,
The ould love in me heart that still lingers,
That Time has been soothing and docthring in vain;
And now he must soothe it and heal it again
Wid his kindly and gentle ould fingers.
Its only a sod, but I see a big ship
Through the gallopin waters come tearin,
And a lass that looks back on the horizon dip,
Wid eyes full of tears and a thrimblin lip,
On the last that she saw of ould Erin.
Its only a sod, but wid care it will keep
Till me brooms and me brushes are silint
Put it into me arms ere they bury me deep,
And tell them old Biddy the slavey does sleep
Neath a sod from the bogs of ould Irlint.