A Nation Once Again

A Nation Once Again
Written by Thomas Osbourne Davis (1814-1845)

When boyhood's fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen,
Of 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 shown 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 fame,
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
The spirit of each selfish plan
And cruel passions 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.

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