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 might yet see Our fetters rent in twain And Ireland long a province be A nation once again CHORUS A nation once again A nation once again And Ireland long a province be A nation once again II 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 (CHORUS) III It whispered too that freedom's ark And service high and holy Would be profaned by feelings dark And passions vain or lowly For, freedom comes form God's right hand And needs a godly train And righteous men must make our land A nation once again (CHORUS) IV 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. |