Classic Poem

My countrymen, awake! arise!
Our work begins anew,
Your mingled voices rend the skies,
Your hearts are firm and true,
You've bravely marched, and nobly met,
Our little green isle through;
But, oh! my friends, there's something yet
For Irishmen to do!

As long as Erin hears the clink
Of base ignoble chains,
As long as one detested link
Of foreign rule remains,
As long as of our rightful debt
One smallest fraction's due,
So long, my friends, there's something yet
For Irishmen to do!

Too long we've borne the servile yoke,—
Too long the slavish chain,—
Too long in feeble accents spoke,
And ever spoke in vain.—
Our wealth has filled the spoiler's net,
And gorg'd the Saxon crew.
But, oh! my friends, we'll teach theMyet
What Irishmen can do!

The olive branch is in our hands,
The white flag floats above;
Peace, peace pervades our myriad bands,
And proud forgiving love.
But, oh! let not our foes forget
We're Men, as Christians too,
Prepared to do for Ireland yet
What Irishmen should do!

There's not a man of all our land
Our country now can spare,
The strong man with his sinewy hand,
The weak man with his prayer!
No whining tone of mere regret,
Young Irish bards, for you;
But let your songs teach Ireland yet
What Irishmen should do!

And wheresoe'er that duty lead,
There, there your post should be;
The coward slave is never freed,
The brave alone are free!
Oh! Freedom, firmly fixed are set
Our longing eyes on you;
And though we die for Ireland yet
So Irishmen should do!