Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SONG FOR THE IRISH MILITIA, by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS Poet's Biography First Line: The tribune's tongue and poet's pen Last Line: A soldier's death, so ireland's free! Subject(s): Freedom; Ireland - Rebellions; Liberty | ||||||||
I. THE tribune's tongue and poet's pen May sow the seed in prostrate men; But 'tis the soldier's sword alone Can reap the crop so bravely sown! No more I'll sing nor idly pine, But tram my soul to lead a line -- A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier's death, so Ireland's free! II. No foe would fear your thunder words If'twere not for our light'ning swords -- If tyrants yield when millions pray, 'Tis lest they link in war array; Nor peace itself is safe, but when The sword is sheathed by fighting men -- A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier's death, so Ireland's free! III. The rifle brown and sabre bright Can freely speak and nobly write -- What prophets preached the truth so well As HOFER, BRIAN, BRUCE, and TELL? God guard the creed these heroes taught, -- That blood-bought Freedom's cheaply bought, A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier's death, so Ireland's free! IV. Then, welcome be the bivouac, The hardy stand, and fierce attack, Where pikes will tame their carbineers, And rifles thin their bay'neteers, And every field the island through Will show "what Irishmen can do!" A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier's death, so Ireland's free! V. Yet, 'tis not strength, and 'tis not steel Alone can make the English reel; But wisdom, working day by day, Till comes the time for passion's sway -- The patient dint, and powder shock, Can blast an empire like a rock. A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier s death, so ireland's free! VI. The tribune's tongue and poet's pen May sow the seed in slavish men; But 'tis the soldier's sword alone Can reap the harvest when 'tis grown. No more I'll sing, no more I'll pine, But train my soul to lead a line -- A soldier's life's the life for me -- A soldier's death, so Ireland's free! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER CLARE'S DRAGOONS by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS FONTENOY by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF EOGHAN RUADH (OWEN ROE) O'NEIL by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS |
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