When boyhood's fire was in my blood I read of ancient freemen
Of Greece and Rome who bravely stood 300 men and 3 men
And then I prayed I yet might see our fetters rent in twain
And Ireland long a province be a nation once again
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 shown a far light
Nor could love's brightest summer glow outshine that solemn starlight
It seem to watch above my head through foreign fields and fame
It's angel voice sang 'round my bed a nation once again
A nation once again, .....
So as I grew from boy to man, I bent me to my bidding
My spirit of each selfish plan and cruel passion ridding
For thus I hope some day to wake nor can such hope be vain
When my dear country shall be made a nation once again
A nation once again, .....
T & M: Thomas Osborne Davis 1844