nearly midnight before
if I get home again , I swear I 'll never leave her ; I hope the straw mattress will keep , The pig wo n't have the fever ! For then , you know , I 'll marry Kate , And never think of others . Hurrah , then , for the shamrock green , And the Louisiana colors ! '' It was nearly midnight before the men separated , repairing to their tents . Their songs had charmed me , and made the long hours flit by like birds . Where are you , brave singers , in this year ` 68 ? I know not -- you are all scattered .