A Toast to Erin (1913)
There's a little green isle in the midst of the ocean,The fame of her beauty is known far and near ;
By her children she's loved with the deepest devotion.
For her sorrows and wrongs they've shed many a tear ;
And though her oppressors doomed many to exile,
Her struggles for freedom they watch from afar,
And greet with delight each successful endeavour,
For the song of their hearts is still "Erin go Bragh." Then here's a toast to Erin-
"May every breeze that blows
Waft blessings to the dear old land
Where the little shamrock grows-
The land of saints and heroes.
Of knights and warriors bold,
Whose sons still fight for God and right
As their fathers fought of old." Blue are the skies o'er this dear little island,
The sun seems to shine here more bright than elsewhere,
Nor slavery's chains nor the sword of the tyrant
Can break her proud spirit or make her less fair.
Though war's cruel blight waste her green smiling valleys
Till she sinks 'neath her burden of sorrow and pain,
'Tis but for a time, soon her fainting heart rallies,
And, defiant and lovely, she rises again. Then here's a. toast, etc. Oh ! well might her children have wept for old Erin
Through her dark night of sorrow so drearily long,
Well might her exiled sons lovingly yearn
For the dear land they left in the years that are gone ;
But no more need they weep, for the day is now dawning
When Freedom at last o'er their country shall reign,
And her heart will rejoice at her children returning,
And she'll take her proud place as
"A NATION AGAIN." Then here's a toast, etc. 17/9/'13. G. E. B. Notes From the Victorian Newspaper The Advocate 25 Oct 1913 p. 15. It is interesting that this song was published in Australia a couple of years before the 1916 Easter Rebellion.