Ma Bouchaleen Bwee

Nora Hopper Chesson

1871 to 1906

Poem Image

(My Yellow-haired Lad

Ma bouchaleen bwee, and ma bouchaleen bwee, 
It's I would go with you wherever you be: 
I'd climb the high hills and I'd sail the salt sea 
If I might go with you, ma bouchaleen bwee. 

Most dear and most green are the fair hills of Eri, 
But on steeper hillsides my feet would not weary: 
My feet on the ice and the snowfield might be 
If you climbed beside me, ma bouchaleen bwee. 

If you were in exile, whatever winds blew, 
It's I would be houseless and homeless with you: 
My breast for your fair head a pillow should be, 
And my heart for your castle, ma bouchaleen bwee! 

With sorrow before and with danger behind, 
I'd follow you, heeding nor weather nor wind: 
So kind and so faithful and patient I'd be, 
If I might go with you, ma bouchaleen bwee.