Thomas Moore

May 28, 1780 - Feb 26, 1852

 

Erin! Oh Erin!

by Thomas Moore

Like the bright lamp that shone in Kildare's holy fane,
And burn'd through long ages of darkness and storm,
Is the heart that afflictions have frown'd on in vain,
Whose spirit outlives them, unfading and warm.
Erin! oh Erin! thus bright thro' the tears
Of a long night of bondage thy spirit appears.

The nations have fallen, and thou still art young;
Thy sun is but rising when others are set:
And tho' slavery's cloud o'er thy morning hath hung,
The full moon of freedom shall beam round thee yet,
Erin! oh Erin! tho' long in the shade,
Thy star will shine out when the proudest shall fade!

Unchill'd by the rain, and unwak'd by the wind,
The lily lies sleeping thro' winter's cold hour,
Till spring's light touch her fetters unbind,
And daylight and liberty bless the young flower.
Thus Erin! oh Erin! thy winter is past,
And the hope that liv'd thro' it shall blossom at last.

Source:

The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore.
Copyright undated, very old
The Walter Scott Publishing Co. Ltd.