The Patriot's Lament (1872)
Oh! Erin, my country, why wilt thou for ever,
Let the heel of the Saxon tread upon you,
Whilst the bright sword of freedom may strike the oppressor,
Remembering the glories of Brian Boru.
On the Field of Clontarf the Celt met the Dane,
In the cause of his country was each Irishman true;
Why should it not then still be the same,
Remembering the glories of Brian Boru?
Then up with the green flag of freedom ma bouchal.
Whilst it waves on our army, united and true,
We may sneer with contempt upon Shamus a'Haughs,
Remembering the glories of Brian Boru.
Shade of O'Connell, Great Liberator,
May Ireland's sons prove worthy of you;
So here's to success in a dbrop of the crathur,
Not forgetting the glories of Brian Boru.
Notes
"ma bouchal" means my boy, "O'Connell Great Liberator" is Daniel O'Connell, "dbrop of the crathur" is Poitín or poteen a traditional Irish distilled, highly alcoholic beverage.