THE EMERALD GEMS OF IRELAND
By Danny Hughes

The Emerald Gems of Ireland

are the most precious gems in all the world.

For they are made of love and gentle care

and a sense of eased contentment

from this island’s soft pure air.

They are made from the early morning sunrise

that shines down on the mist peaked mountains,

and the beauteous isolation of the boglands

where the lucious peat smelling air

is more pure than the rarest gold.

They are made from the songs of wild birds

that enchant each hour of the day

and the warmth of its people’s welcome

that will charm your heart away.

They are made from the smiles of its colleens

and the sheen from their long black hair

and the fragrant scent of the wild roses

That adds beauty and magic to each moment of every hour.

They are made from the dreams of its dreamers

who ride on the beams of the rainbow

and dance on top of the moon

and latch on to the wings of a swallow,

and reach high heaven to the strains of a fiddler’s tune.

They are made from the poems and the sonnets of its poets

with the warmness of love in their souls.

These are the emerald gems of Ireland

made from the purest of gold.

They are the high green grass in the meadow fields

where the leprechauns and the fairies dwell.

They are the winnowing wind from the peat bogs

that web their magic spell.

They are the deeds of its valorous men and women

who give honour to their country’s name

and forever record their memories

in the world’s great books of fame.

They are made from the truth and caring of the old folks,

who kneel by the fireside each night

and speak the prayers of the rosary

with a reverent sense of delight.

Their timeless treasure of love for God and for Country

has no ageing in the centuries of passing time.

These are the priceless gems of Ireland