Mary Clare Malloy (American Wake) - Tom Russell

My name is Mary Clare Malloy

I was born in County Cork

At 18 years of age I sailed for the shores of ole New York

with 700 picture brides, torn 'tween hope and fear

At last we spot Manhattan, and the famous isle of tears

My first taste of the New World turned to ashes very fast

The ones who went through freely were from first and second class

We steerage folk remained on board, as if we were exiles

The capitain turned the ship around

And sailed to Ellis Isle