The Dying Soldier lyrics

written by Rev. P. MacThomas and dedicated to Padraig Pearse, They sure had a way with words back then, a great piece of lyric writing

Mother Ireland I have loved thee
With a love that knew no fear
I have drawn the sword to free thee
At the flowering of the year
But a hand was raised to smite me
As I stopped to kiss thy brow
And the arm that would have freed thee
By my side hangs helpless now.
 
I have lived and loved and laboured
With a patriots heart and will
That the dawning years might find thee
Fearless and unfettered still
I am vanquished, and my comrades
In the glorious fight have bled
And the dauntless hearts that loved thee
Rest among the silent dead.
 
But 'twer nobler thus to perish
Thus to wipe away the tears
With the distant voice of freedom
Echoing in the dying ears
That to stand at fawning minions
Of the sneering conqueror's race
With the clanking changes of bondage
Telling of our deep disgrace.
 
When the deatless glow of freedom
Flickering through the gloom of years
Shall have flashed upon the hilltops
Conqueror of gloom and tears
When a future age shall find thee
Freedom standing by thy side
Mother Ireland, O, remember
'Twas for freedoms cause they died
 
They are gone and I must follow
To the golden fields above
Where the mighty God of justice
Shall reward the patriots love
Sweet it where I live and love thee
Sweeter far for thee to die
With the flower-clad hills around me
Echoing back my last good-bye