?Kathleen Mavourneen,? which gained popularity during the American Civil War. ?Mavourneen? is a Gaelic term of endearment meaning ?my beloved.? The song was a signature of Catherine Hayes, a soprano who became the first Irish woman to sing at La Scala in Milan.
Kathleen, Mavourneen, the grey dawn is breaking,
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill;
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking;
Kathleen, Mavourneen, What! slumbering still?
Oh! hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh! hast thou forgotten, this day we must part;
It may be for years, and it may be forever?
Oh! why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years, and it may be forever?
Oh! why art thou silent, Kathleen, Mavourneen?
Kathleen, Mavourneen, awake from thy slumbers,
The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light;
Ah! where is the spell that once hung on my numbers,
Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night,
Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night
Mavourneen, Mavourneen, my sad tears are falling,
To think that from Erin and thee I must part,
It may be for years, and it may be forever?
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years, and it may be forever;
Then why art thou silent, Kathleen, Mavourneen?