Classic Poem

Air: The Rising of the Moon

O, God rest you, Robert Emmet
And God rest you, noble Tone,
God rest you, Hugh O'Donnell,
And O'Neill of brave Tyrone;
God rest you, Patrick Sarsfield,
In your grave far, far away;
God rest you all who strove to speed
The Dawning of the Day.

Freedom's bright and blessed Day!
Ireland free from Saxon sway!
Lift your hearts and pray God speed us
To the Dawning of the Day!

Not in vain you poured your life-blood,
Gallant hearts of 'Ninety-Eight,
Not in vain you stood undaunted
'Neath the scourge of English hate;
Men of Wexford, Men of Antrim,
Men whose names shall ne'er decay,
But shall shine like stars to lead us
To the Dawning of the Day!
Chorus .

O'er the fields your blood has hallowed,
O, ye hosts of Irish Dead!
In the light of Freedom's morning
Men of Ireland soon shall tread;
When the foeman reels before them
In the thunder of the fray,
They shall shout your name in triumph
At the Dawning of the Day!
Chorus .