The New Erin go bragh: or, The exile of Erin's return home

The New Erin Go Bragh is a mate of Erin Go Brah, with the same style cut, flower, and type. In the spirit of other songs of victorious soldiers returning unexpectedly, this text is unusual in that the lover returns unharmed and his love is waiting and still available. The song begins with an observer’s description of the setting. Then the girl pours out her sentimental song and the unseen lover rushes into her arms. A similar song appears on The Exile’s Return, but there the ending is unhappy: the wife and baby are dead.

The detailed use of quotation marks suggests that the typesetter for this ballad sheet had a printed original in his hand. The title, subtitle, and scansion suggest that this text was intended as a sequel to Thomas Campbell’s “Exile of Erin,” and the same tune, “Savournah Delish,” may be appropriate (see Erin Go Brah).