A Health to the Birds
"Here's to the health of the birds one and all!
A health to the birds great and small!
The birds that from the hill and hedge that call,
Through the highlands and islands of grey Donegal —
Here's a health to them,
Health to them,
Health to them all!
. . .
Here's a health to the blackbird!
A health to the blackbird who hides in the bush,
In the glen, far from men, where the dark rivers rush,
And rolls a full soul in the round notes that gush
From his silver-toned throat at dawning's first flush —
A health to the blackbird!
. . .
Here's a health to the birds one and all!
A health to the birds great and small!
The birds that from hill and hedge call,
Through the highlands and island of grey Donegal —
Here's a health to them,
Health to them,
Health to them all!"
— Seumas MacManus
