A Nation Once Again

When boyhood’s fire was in my blood

I read of ancient freemen,

For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,

Three hundred men and three men;

And then I prayed I yet might see

Our fetters rent in twain,

And Ireland, long a province, be

A Nation once again!

[chorus]

A Nation once again,

A Nation once again,

And Ireland, long a province, be

A Nation once again!

And from that time, through wildest woe,

That hope has shone a far light,

Nor could love’s brightest summer glow

Outshine that solemn starlight;

It seemed to watch above my head

In forum, field and fane,

Its angel voice sang round my bed,

A Nation once again!

It whisper’d too, that freedom’s ark

And service high and holy,

Would be profaned by feelings dark

And passions vain or lowly;

For, Freedom comes from God’s right hand,

And needs a Godly train;

And righteous men must make our land

A Nation once again!

So, as I grew from boy to man,

I bent me to that bidding

My spirit of each selfish plan

And cruel passion ridding;

For, thus I hoped some day to aid,

Oh, can such hope be vain?

When my dear country shall be made

A Nation once again!