 | The Poems of Thomas Davis |  |
156
SONG OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF 1782.
I
Hurrah! 'tis done—our freedom's won—Hurrah for the Volunteers!
No laws we own, but those alone
Of our Commons, King, and Peers.
The chain is broke—the Saxon yoke
From off our neck is taken;
Ireland awoke—Dungannon spoke—
With fear was England shaken.
II
When Grattan rose, none dared opposeThe claim he made for freedom:
They knew our swords, to back his words,
Were ready, did he need them.
Then let us raise, to Grattan's praise,
A proud and joyous anthem;
And wealth, and grace, and length of days,
May God, in mercy grant him!
157
III
Bless Harry Flood, who nobly stoodBy us, through gloomy years!
Bless Charlemont, the brave and good,
The Chief of the Volunteers!
The North began; the North held on
The strife for native land;
Till Ireland rose, and cowed her foes—
God bless the Northern land!
IV
And bless the men of patriot pen—Swift, Molyneux, and Lucas;
Bless sword and gun, which “Free Trade” won—
Bless God! who ne'er forsook us!
And long may last, the friendship fast,
Which binds us all together;
While we agree, our foes shall flee
Like clouds in stormy weather.
V
Remember still, through good and ill,How vain were prayers and tears—
How vain were words, till flashed the swords
Of the Irish Volunteers.
By arms we've got the rights we sought
Through long and wretched years—
Hurrah! 'tis done, our Freedom's won—
Hurrah for the Volunteers!
| The Poems of Thomas Davis | |