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B H Cottages : News

Shepherds Retreat was the home of Gerald Conway who sadly passed away a few years ago.

He was a renowned poet, songwriter and old time dancer. One of his poems on the Moyola river is hanging in the cottage. It conjures up the image of a small mountain stream feeding into the mighty river far below.

In Shepherds Retreat the stream flowing past the cottage is the tributary of the Owenkillew, which in turn flows into the vast Foyle system.

The poem is repeated below:

Moyola

On the great Moyola river
Where anglers sport and play
Along the banks young lovers
Still pass the time away
But give to me that river
Where its just a little stream

Chorus:
Roll on silver water
Roll on through Ballinacreen
For a little while I am strolling
Where Moyola’s just a stream

Let me ramble through the mountain
Where natures still unspoilt
And gaze down through the valley
Where Colmkilla once toiled
Where the ruined church of Patrick
Can easily be seen
Close to where that river
Is just a little stream

Chorus:

Where the sun sinks over Erin
The land Saint Patrick blessed
I’ll go for recreation
Into the Shepherds Rest
Where the hills round Carnanelle
Into the pale moonlight they gleam
Across the great Moyola
Where it’s just a little stream

Chorus:

Take me through the heather
Where the hare and rabbit roam
Let me hear the laughter
Of the children having fun
If you take the road to Gortin
From the cross of Ballinacreen
You ll cross the mighty river
Where it’s just a little stream

Chorus:

Now when my life is closing
I’ll sit and take my pen
And I will write the praises
Of a life time in the glen
Then Lord if you don’t take me
Into your home serene
Then leave me by the river
Where it’s just a little stream