Francis S. Mahony

The Song of Brennus

Or The Introduction of the Grape into France

(From the French of Béranger.)

Tune—“The Night before Larry”

When Brennus came back from here from Rome,

            These words he is said to have spoken:

“We have conquered, my boys! And brought home

            A sprig of the vine for a token!

Cheer, my hearties! And welcome to Gaul

            This plant, which we won rfom the foeman;

‘Tis enough to repay us for all

            Our trouble in beating the Roman;

                        Bless the gods! And bad luck to the geese!

“O, take care to treat well the fair guest,

            From the blasts of the North to protect her;

Of your hillocks, the sunniest and best

            Make them hers, for the sake of her nectar.

She shall nurse your young Gauls with her juice;

            Give life to ‘the arts’ in libations;

While your ships round he globe shall produce

            Her goblet of joy for all nations—

                        E’en the foeman shall taste of our cup.

“The exile who flies to our heart

            She shall soothe, all his sorrows redressing;

For the vine is the parent of mirth,

            And to sit in its shade is a blessing.”

So the soil Brennus dug with his lance,

            ‘Mid the crowd of Gaul’s warriors and sages;

And ou forefathers grim, of gay France

            Got a glimpse through the vista of ages—

                        And it gladdened the hearts of the Gauls!