The Allow Bank High

The river known as Allow in flood waters of brown
Bank bank high through Kanturk an old Duhallow town
In late January a cold, wet and windy time of year
Though the calendar Spring with each day is drawing near
It is windy and cold around Kanturk today
The cattle in the farmyard sheds bellowing for silage or hay
At least eight to nine weeks until the nesting birds sing
On leaf budding trees near the prime of the Spring
And the cattle on young grass gaining weight by the day
Far more nutritious for them than eating silage or hay
So many days and nights from the prime of the May
When the hawthorns will wear their blooms of white to gray
And the Allow bank high in flood waters of brown
Goes babbling on it's way through old Kanturk Town.