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SONGS OF THE NATION, by                    
First Line: Ye songs that resound in the homes ... Island
Alternate Author Name(s): Walshe, Edward


I.
Ye songs that resound in the homes of our island-
That wake the wild echoes by valley and highland-
That kindle the cold with their forefather's story-
That point to the ardent the pathway of glory!-
āàYe send to the banish'd,
āàO'er ocean's far wave,
āàThe hope that had vanish'd-
āàThe vow of the brave;
And teach each proud despot of loftiest station,
To pale at your spell-word, sweet songs of The Nation!


II.
Sweet songs! ye reveal, through the vista of ages,
Our monarchs and heroes-our minstrels and sages-
The pomp of Emania-the glories of Temor,
When Erin was free from the Saxon defamer-
āàThe green banner flying-
āàThe rush of the Gael-
āàThe Sassenach dying-
āàHis matron's wild wail-
These glories forgotten, with magic creation
Burst bright at your spell-word, sweet songs of The Nation!


III.
The minstrels who waken these wild notes of freedom,
Have hands for green Erin-if Erin should need 'em;
And hearts for the wrong'd one, wherever he ranges,
From Zembla to Timor-from Shannon to Ganges-
āàAnd hate for his foeman,
āàAll hatred above-
āàAnd love for dear woman,
āàSeraphical love-
But chiefest the fair ones whose eyes' animation
Is the spell-word that prompts the sweet songs of The Nation!






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