Across the dewy morning hills of EireannnRode Niamh Chinn Oir on a snow-white steednTo Oisin fairy poet of the FiannanFor she fain would this mortal wednnCome with me to the fairy land of Tir Na NognFor I have long loved you said shenAnd Oisin taken with her beautynHe bade farewell to his companynnThey rode through stormy regions far across the seanTo a land where time had ne'er its harvest reapednAnd for an age there Oisin lived contentednTill longing for his comrades made him weepnnI cannot help but read these sad dreams in your eyesnSo you may return to your countrynAnd take my blessing with this one commandnDo not dismount from you fairy steednnBut when at last he reached that misty islandnSo strange a sight did meet his puzzled frownnFor Oisin rode as a giant among the peoplenAnd nowhere were the Fianna to be foundnnHe learned from a gathering of workersnTogether straining with a heavy loadnThat centuries before his friends had perishednWhich painful tidings filled him with despairnnAs payment for the news that we have told younPray help us with this heavy stone to movenFor if your strength should match your mighty staturenScarce more than a touch enough should provennBut the saddle tore as Oisin leaned to help themnAnd sorely he upon the ground was thrownnHe quickly turned into an aged mannAnd ne'er again set eyes on Tir Na Nog.