At the time the verse was written its owner was popularly known as "Humpy Hyde." Our
poet expected a substantial donation for his lines, and when he received a very slender
one was dissapointed and in his vexation changed the last Iine from "But in all my ranging
and serenading I saw none equal to Castle Hyde" to "But in all my ranging and serenading
I saw no naygur like Humpy Hyde. Negur or naygiur meaning a stingy person. The verses are—
As I roved out one fine summer's morning,
Down by the banks of Black water side,
To view the groves and meadows charming,
That front the palace of Castle Hyde,
'Tis there, you might hear the thrushes warbling,
The dove and blackbird I now describe.
The lambkins sporting every morning.
All to Adorn sweet Castle Hyde.
If noble princes from foreign Places
Should chance to come to this Irish shore.
'Tis in this valley they would be feasted.
As often heroes have been before.
The wholesome air of this habitation
Would recreate your heart with pride:
There is no valley throughout creation
In beauty equal to Castle Hyde.
I've travelled Blarney and Bally Keneally (or roved from)
Thomastown and sweet Doneraile.
Through Kilshannock that joins Rothcormach
Becides Killarney and Abbeyfeale ;
The river Shannon and pleasant Boyne
The flowing Barrow and rapid Bride.
But in all my ranging and surrounding
I saw equal to Castle Hyde.
Notes
From the West Australian Newspaper The W.A. Record 11 Apr 1908 p. 12.
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