[Alonzo C. Ide diary, 1864, United States Civil War]

[page 33]
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1864.
[Transcription of inclusion begins]
And calmed her agitation,
When last I saw them through the crack,
They were kissing like tarnation. (CHO.)
___

LOTTIE IN THE LANE.*

The sun was going down to rest,
Behind the woody hill;
The sky was all in crimson dressed,
And silent was the mill;
Upon the breeze a gentle sound
Was wafted o'er the plain,
And came soon with fairy step and bound
Came Lottie down the lane.

The curls beneath her dainty hood
Came peeping to the light;
They were like golden buds, that would
In beauty take their flight;
Her snowy arm she placed in mine,
And past the fields of grain,
I wandered in a dream diving,
With Lottie in the lane.

I see her face before me now,
in youthful glow and pride;
I kiss again her modest brow,
And linger by her side;
Her smiles are near where'er I rove,
And when each hope shall wane,
I'll bless the eve I wond my love,
Sweet Lottie in the lane.16 1.1
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[page 34]
[Transcription of inclusion begins]
THE TAIL IV ME COAT.
I l'arned me reading an' writing
At Ballyragget where I wint to school
'Twas there I first took to fighting,
With the schoolmaster, Misther O'Toole
He and I there had many a scrimmage,
The divil a copy I wrote,
But not a gosson in the village,
Dare thread on the tail iv me coat.

I an illigant hand was at courting,
For lessons I took in the art,
Till cupid, that blagguard, while sporting
A big arrow sint smack through me heart;
Miss O'Connor, I lived straight forninst her,
And tindher line to her I wrote,
Who dares say a black word against her,
Why I'd thread of the tail iv his coat.

A bog-trotter, wan Mickey Mulvany,
He tried for to coax her away,
He had money an' I hadn't any,
So a challenge I sint him wan day;
Next morning we met at Killhealy,
The Shannon we crossed in a boat,
There I lathered him with me shillely,
For he trod on the tail iv me coat.

Me fame spread through the nation,
Folks flock for to gaze upon me;
All cry out without hesitation,
"Och, yer a fightin' man, Mickey Magee!
I fought with the Finegan faction,
We bate all the Murphies afloat,
If inclined for a row or a ruction,
Why, I'd tread on the tail of their coat.17 1.2
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[page 35]
[Transcription of inclusion begins]
'The boys are coming home again,
This war will soon be o'er,
The North and South again will stand
United as of yore.
Yes, hand in hand and arm in arm
Together they will roam;
Oh! won't we have a happy time
When all the boys come home?

'We'll have no more false hopes and fears,
No more heart-rending sighs,
The messenger of peace will dry
The weary moruners' eyes.
We'll laugh and sing, we'll dance and play,
Ah, wait until they come,
And joy will crown the happy day
When all the boys come home.

"How proud our nation then will stand,
United ever more--
We'll bid defiance to the foe
That dare approach our shore;
We'll hoist the good old flag again
On Freedom's lofty dome,
And live in peace and happiness
When all the boys come home."
[End transcription of inclusion]

Notes

• 16 1.1

  Lottie in the Lane. Words by George Cooper. Sung to the tune by John Roger Thomas.
• 17 1.2

  The Tail IV Me Coat. Words by John F. Poole.