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 lreland, long a province, be A Nation once again! It whisper'd too, that freedom's ark And service high and holy, Would be prepared 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 lreland, 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 should be made A Nation once again! A Nation once again, A Nation once again, And lreland, long a province, be A Nation once again!