When winter comes and all is silent

the saddled mare is tightly bound

Fox she prowls on down by the moonlight

Snow lays thickly on the ground

Though we bid farewell in sorrow

we will meet again in distant lands

and drink a health in joy for parting

when the exile will return again

The hearth is hard to leave this long night

We face a long and a treacherous road

Hard times must be faced undaunted

Our loved ones lighten up our load

Though we bid farewell in sorrow

we may meet again in distant lands

and drink a health in joy for parting

when the exile will return again

The distant cairn of Cnoc na Ré stands

Bare and bleached o'er Queen Medb's tomb

O'Hara's castle stands undaunted

Waiting for her lands to bloom

Though we bid farewell in sorrow

we may meet again in distant lands

and drink a health in joy for parting

when the exile will return again

The night is cold, the children are sleeping

Restful dreams of Tir na nÓg

Jeanie Johnston's bound for sailing

Now my friend it's time to go

Though we bid farewell in sorrow

we may meet again in distant lands

and drink a health in joy for parting

when the exile will return again

Though we bid farewell in sorrow

we may meet again in distant lands

and drink a health in joy for parting

when the exile will return again

when the exile will return ag