When boyhood’s fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood
Three hundred men and three men;
And then I prayed I yet might see
Our fetters rent in twain
And Ireland, long a province, be A Nation once again!
A Nation once again
A Nation once again
And lreland, long a province, be A Nation once again!
And from that time, through wildest woe
That hope has shone a far light
Nor could love’s brightest summer glow
Outshine that solemn starlight;
It seemed to watch above my head
In forum, field and fane
Its angel voice sang round my bed
A Nation once again!
It whisper’d too, that freedom’s ark
And service high and holy
Would be profaned by feelings dark
And passions vain or lowly;
For, Freedom comes from God’s right hand
And needs a Godly train;
And righteous men must make our land
A Nation once again!
So, as I grew from boy to man
I bent me to that bidding
My spirit of each selfish plan
And cruel passion ridding;
For, thus I hoped some day to aid
Oh, can such hope be vain?
When my dear country shall be made
A Nation once again!