In Early December By Clara

It has been twenty three years since I last lived in Millstreet In Claraghatlea in view of Clara where the Cails and Finnow meet In early December the hills hatted in snow And the stream in brown flood waters to the river does flow Through the rain-drenched fields and by ditch and hedgerow At a time of year when nothing seems to grow, In early December by Clara from here far away The birds never sing at the dawn of the day The overnight frost leaves the old fields looking gray Many weeks from early December till the birth of the May The cattle in farm sheds bellowing to be fed And hungry birds by the back door pecking crumbs of bread And the wintery winds blow down from Claramore Many miles inland from Hibernia's shore.