Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BRITON, by CARROLL RYAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BRITON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: From heremon we claim descent
Last Line: The freedom-loving briton!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, William Thomas Carroll
Subject(s): Freedom; Hearts; Love - Cultural Differences; Liberty


From Heremon we claim descent—
His bride King David's daughter,
Who from the Holy Land was sent
To Erin, o'er the water.

Since then the Norman and the Dane,
The Teuton and the Frenchman
Have mixed their blood, and from the strain
Came sturdy British henchmen.

Chorus—

Hurrah, then, for the blood and birth,
With pedigree to fit on
The isles and continents of earth,
The freedom-loving Briton!

The liberties our fathers won
We'll grant to every nation,
Till peace and justice, like the sun,
Shall shine o'er all creation.

We seek no conquest to oppress,
Or trample on a foeman;
As we are blest, we seek to bless.
With enmity to no man.

Chorus—

Hurrah, then, for the blood and birth,
With pedigree to fit on
The isles and continents of earth,
The freedom-loving Briton!

Thus Celt, and Teuton, Norman, Dane,
Come back, like clouds from ocean,
And fall upon the earth, like rain,
To set the crops in motion.

No Cadmus crop of armed bands,
To meet in strife infernal,
But loving hearts and willing hands,
To make God's peace eternal

Chorus—

Hurrah, then, for the blood and birth,
With pedigree to fit on
The isles and continents of earth,
The freedom-loving Briton!





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