Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN); 1176, by MICHAEL DOHENY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHAN VAN VOCHT (THE POOR OLD WOMAN); 1176, by                    
First Line: The sainted isle of old
Last Line: Says the shan van vocht.
Subject(s): Nationalism - Ireland


THE sainted isle of old,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
The sainted isle of old,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.
The parent and the mould
Of the beautiful and bold,
Has her blithesome heart waxed cold?
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

The Saxon and the Dane,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
The Saxon and the Dane
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
The Saxon and the Dane
Our immortal hills profane;
Oh! confusion seize the twain,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

What are the chiefs to do?
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
What are the chiefs to do?
Says the Shan Van Vocht.
What should the chieftains do
But to treat the hireling crew
To a touch of Brian Boru,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

They came across the wave,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
They came across the wave,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
They came across the wave
But to plunder and enslave,
And should find a robber's grave,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

Then be the trusty brand,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
Then be the trusty brand,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
Then be the trusty brand,
Firmly clutched in every hand,
And we'll scourge them from the land,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.

There's courage yet and truth,
Says the Shan Van Vocht,
There's courage yet and truth,
Says the Shan Van Vocht;
There's a God above us all,
And, whatever may befall,
No invader shall enthrall,
Says the Shan Van Vocht.





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