The West`s Awake!
When
all beside a vigil keep,
the West`s asleep, the West`s asleep-
Alas! and well may Erin weep
When Connacht lies in slumber deep,
There lake and plain smile fair and free
`Mid rocks their guardian chivalry.
Sing, Oh! let man learn liberty
From crashing wind and lashing sea.
That chainless wave and lonely land
Freedom and Nationhood demand;
Be sure, the great God never planned,
For slumb`ring slaves a home so grand,
And long, a brave and haughty race
Honoured and sentinelled the place,
Sing, Oh; not even their sons` disgrace
Can quite destroy their glory`s trace.
For often in O`Connor`s van,
to triumph dashed each Connacht clan,
And fleet as deer the Normans ran
Thro` Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan;
And later times saw deeds as brave,
And glory guards Clanricarde`s grave,
Sing, Oh! they died their land to save
AT Aughrim`s slopes and Shannon`s waves.
And if, when all a vigil keep,
The West`s asleep, the Wests asleep!
Alas and well may Erin weep,
That Connacht lies in slumber deep.
But hark! a voice like thunder spake
"The West`s awake! the West`s Awake!"
Sing, Oh! hurrah! let England quake,
We`ll watch till death for Erin`s sake!