Folk memory in the area from the Masterson, Mc Brides, Fox, etc, families has always claimed that song written by a Carlin from Drumgoon townland. In 2001 at the Dernakesh reunion, a descendent of the Carlin clan from California comfirmed the tradition in his family as authors and he sang it in full. In the 1937 folklore collection for Dernakesh, several writers named Anna Carlin, Drumgoon townland as composer. It is also claimed that it was written by a James Dunnery in relation to a townland called Drumgoon in the parish of Killeshandra.

One evening as those towering hills the golden sun did screen, There strayed a poor exile far from the isle of green. With troubled mind and tearful eye he watched the rising moon Till at last his thoughts flew back once more to lovely sweet Drumgoon.

His white beard flowing down his breast as he spoke this mournfully, My God I long on Breffni's hills my dear old home to see, To hear the blackbird among the boughs pour forth his gladsome tune That echoes through the blooming woods round lovely sweet Drumgoon.

'Twas there I spent life's brightest hours free the shade of care, Where're I roamed, ought cheered my path like days spent roaming there. With comrades gay I'd fondly stray on a Sunday afternoon Till the shades of night came creeping o'er your flowery fields, Drumgoon.

Alas, where are the comrades with whom I used to stray? Before I left my native land to wander far away. Ah me; some sleep on an alien shore where no shamrocks o'er them bloom Far from the friends they'll meet no more round lovely sweet Drumgoon.

Curse on the law that forces us on an alien shore to dwell And leave green Erin's Isle behind and friends we love so well. My God above, this exile prayed, may the blessed day dawn soon When freedom's sun comes beaming o'er your flowery fields, Drumgoon.