A Nation Once Again

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!
 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 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!
 A Nation once again,
 A Nation once again,
 And Ireland, long a province, be
 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!
 A Nation once again,
 A Nation once again,
 And Ireland, long a province, be
 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 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!
 A Nation once again,
 A Nation once again,
 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!