In These New Times

A new paradigm for a post-imperial world

The West is asleep

Posted by smeddum on June 20, 2009

One Response to “The West is asleep”

  1. smeddum said

    When all beside a vigil keep,
    The West’s asleep, the West’s asleep –
    Alas! and well may Erin weep
    When Connacht lies in slumber deep.
    There lake and plain smile fair and free,
    ‘Mid rocks their guardian chivalry.
    Sing, Oh ! let man learn liberty
    From crashing wind and lashing sea.

    That chainless wave and lovely land
    Freedom and nationhood demand;
    Be sure the great God never planned
    For slumb’ring slaves a home so grand.
    And long a brave and haughty race
    Honoured and sentinelled the place.
    Sing, Oh! not even their sons’ disgrace
    Can quite destroy their glory’s trace.

    For often, in O’Connor’s van,
    To triumph dashed each Connacht clan.
    And fleet as deer the Normans ran
    Thro’ Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan;
    And later times saw deeds as brave,
    And glory guards Clanricard’s grave,
    Sing, Oh! they died their land to save
    At Aughrim’s slopes and Shannon’s wave.

    And if, when all a vigil keep,
    The West’s asleep! the West’s asleep!
    Alas! and well may Erin weep
    That Connacht lies in s1umber deep.
    But, hark! a voice like thunder spake,
    The West’s awake! the West’s awake!
    Sing, Oh! hurrah! let England quake,
    We’ll watch till death for Erin’s sake

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