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
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
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