Song Cycle by Alicia Adélaïda Needham (1863-1945)

?. Kitty O'Hea

Authorship

by William Allingham (1824-1889) , "Kitty O'Hea", from Irish Songs and Poems, published 1887

Now, Kitty O'Hea, darling jewel,
I wish you'd consider my case!
O, who could believe you're so cruel
To look in that beautiful face? 
Let roses be jealous, -- no matter!
The sunshine's in love with your cheek;
What singing-bird wouldn't I flatter
To say it's her voice when you speak?
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, give ear to my song.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, I'm courting you long.

My thoughts I can never keep steady,
No more nor a man in a dream,
They caper like straws in an eddy,
In place of pursuing the stream. 
Amusement or meat 1 don't care for,
I moan like a cow gone astray;
Myself knows the why and the wherefore, -- 
I'm thinking of Kitty O'Hea.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, etc.

I never objected, in reason,
To bear with a slight or a scoff,
But snow isn't always in season,
And Lent isn't very far off. 
Shrove-Tuesday's the time for to shake one,
And single I'll not pass the day,
Young, old, maid or widow, I'll take one, -- 
So mind yourself, Kitty O'Hea !
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, give heed to my song.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, I'm courting too long !

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