Roger Quilter - I wish and I wish

I wish and I wish
And I wish I were
A golden bee
In the blue of the air
Winging my way
At the mouth of day
To the honey-marges
Of Loch-ciuin-ban;
Or a little green drake
Or a silver swan
Floating upon
The Stream of Aili
And I to be swimming
Gaily, gaily!

I wish and I wish
And I wish I could be
A bud on a branch
Of the red-thorn tree
That blows at the head
Of Blanaid's Bed
And sheds a petal
At every breath;
Or a white milestone
On the shining path
That climbs the cairn
And dips the hollow
Up to the hills
Of bright Maghmeala
If wishes were fairies
I would not stay
But they would wile
My soul away;
And peacе would creep
Into my sleep
As soft as a dream
At evenfall
Whеn the crickets sing
And the curlews call;
And 'tis I would wake
For no new morrow
On the grey round
Of this world of sorrow!