Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, O'BRUIDAR, by DAVID O'BRUAIDAR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

O'BRUIDAR, by                    
First Line: I will sing no more songs! The pride of my country I sang
Last Line: So I'll sing no more songs for the men that care nothing for me.
Alternate Author Name(s): O'bruaidar, Daibhi
Subject(s): Singing & Singers


I will sing no more songs! The pride of my country I sang
Through forty long years of good rhyme, without any avail;
And no one cared even the half of the half of a hang
For the song or the singer -- so, here is an end to the tale!

If you say, if you think, I complain, and have not got a cause
Let you come to me here, let you look at the state of my hand!
Let you say if a goose-quill has calloused these horny old paws,
Or the spade that I grip on, and dig with, out there in the land?

When our nobles were safe and renowned and were rooted and tough,
Though my thought went to them and had joy in the fortune of those,
And pride that was proud of their pride -- they gave little enough!
Not as much as two boots for my feet, or an old suit of clothes!

I ask of the Craftsman that fashioned the fly and the bird;
Of the Champion whose passion will lift me from death in a time;
Of the Spirit that melts icy hearts with the wind of a word,
That my people be worthy, and get, better singing than mine.

I had hoped to live decent, when Ireland was quit of her care,
As a poet or steward, perhaps, in a house of degree,
But my end of the tale is -- old brogues and old breeches to wear!
So I'll sing no more songs for the men that care nothing for me.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net