A Nation Once Again

A Nation Once Again
Thomas Davis

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

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 whispered, 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:
An 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 riding;
For, thus I hoped some day to aid -
Oh can such hope be in vain?
When my dear country shall be made
A NATION ONCE AGAIN