Thomas Campbell: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Irish Harper and his Dog

Thomas Campbell

“The Irish Harper and his Dog” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Thomas Campbell: Collected Lyrics Text 4 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

On the green banks of Shannon, when Summer was nigh,

No blithe Irish lad was so happy as I;

No harp like my own could so cheerily play,

And wherever I went was my faithful dog Tray.

Verse 2

Poor dog! he was watchful and kind, to be sure,

And he constantly loved me, although I was poor;

When the sour-looking folks sent me heartless away,

I had always a friend in my faithful dog Tray.

Verse 3

When the road was so dark, and the night was so cold,

And Pat and his dog were grown weary and old,

How snugly we slept in my old coat of gray,

And he lick'd me for kindness, my faithful dog Tray!

Verse 4

Though my wallet was scant, I remembered his case,

Nor refused my last crust to his pitiful face;

But he died at my feet on a cold winter's day,

And I play'd a lament for my faithful dog Tray.

Verse 5

Where now shall I go, poor, forsaken, and blind?

Can I find one to guide me, so faithful and kind?

To my sweet native village, so far, far away,

I can never return with my faithful dog Tray.

Credits

Written by Thomas Campbell

Words by Thomas Campbell (died 1844). Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Irish Harper and his Dog”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination. The credited author died in 1844.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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