TO GOD AND IRELAND TRUE by ELLEN O'LEARY

I sit beside my darling's grave
Who in the prison died,
And though my tears fall thick and fast
I think of him with pride;
Ay, softly fall my tears like dew
For one to God and Ireland true.

"I love my God o'er all," he said,
"And then I love my land,
And next I love my Lily sweet
Who pledged me her white hand;
To each, to all, I'm ever true,
To God, to Ireland, and to you."

No tender nurse his hard bed smoothed,
Or softly raised his head;
He fell asleep and woke in heaven
Ere I knew he was dead;
Yet why should I my darling rue?
He was to God and Ireland true.

Oh, 'tis a glorious memory;
I'm prouder than a queen
To sit beside my hero's grave
And think on what has been:
And oh, my darling, I am true
To God, to Ireland, and to you!

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