WHAT is this? They say the Irish fighting spirit flickers down in smoke without a flame? And they say the Irish do not go to battle? It's a lie—or else, it's Ireland's shame! Where there's fighting for the right, you'll find the Irish—they will never run—they'll stand or fall— But, if some mistaken thought holds back the Irish, let them listen—to the Little People's call! @3If you're Irish, then you've heard the fairies calling you of mornings—and you say you don't know what they're calling, calling for? If you're Irish, then you've felt the fairies tugging at your heart- strings—it's the Little People calling, calling you to war!@1 Yes, we know the Sassenach has wronged you—yes, we know the curse that's held since Cromwell's day— But that day is gone—the sunshine's dawning, dawning, and the old, old hate is swept away! If you're Irish, you've a soul that hears the fairies—hears the Little People calling in the dell— It's the Little People calling on their loved ones, "Come, oh come, and save the world from hell!" If you're Irish, you'll forget the old wrong-doings—you will only hear the Little People's call— You will only ask the chance to grip a rifle—you'll come on, a- fighting—Irish—that is all! When it's over, there will be a dawn for Ireland—there'll be freedom for the Erin that you love— There'll be honor, with the best of all, for Ireland—you'll have won it, won it, from the God above! @3If you're Irish, then you've heard the fairies calling you of mornings—and you say you don't know what they're calling, calling for? If you're Irish, then you've felt the fairies tugging at your heart- strings—it's the Little People calling, calling you to war!@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WAITER IN A CALIFORNIA VIETNAMESE RESTURANT by CLARENCE MAJOR TO MARY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE GRAVE OF A POETESS by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 5 by ALFRED TENNYSON SPRING [IN WAR-TIME] by HENRY TIMROD |