120
AN GAODHAL.
"WE'RE PADDIES EVERMORE."
"Sliabh Goilleann."
("Ní Éireannać go Gaedhilgeoir")
I hear them sing that glorious song —
"We're Paddies evermore"
'Tis borne with mighty power along
Old Erin's rockbound shore,
"We're Paddies evermore" they cry ;
We hate the Saxon foe ;
And for our native land we'd die
Because we love her so.
What sounds are those in which I hear
Them sing that thrilling strain?
Right well I know the Irish cheer
That rushes o'er the plain;
But, list ! it is the ENGLISH tongue
They chant from shore to shore !
And yet they sing as oft they've sung —
We're Paddies evermore.
O shame ! the greatest shame of all ! —
The badge of slaves is here;
His master's language every thrall
Speaks without shame or fear.
And yet they say we shall be free
As the waves that round us roar ;
And these Saxon words they sing with glee —
We're Paddies evermore."
"A land of slaves shall ne'er be mine"
And such shall Erin prove,
When she her language shall resign,
Or ceases it to love;
When she adopts the Saxon speech,
She cannot as before
Sing loud, nor yet her children teach —
We're Paddies evermore."
O tongue of bard and saint and sage
May we still treasure thee,
A freeman's badge for youth and age
From centre to the sea, —
And sing and sing as we Irish can
And sing it o'er and o'er
In Erin's language every man
"We're Paddies evermore."
AN GABHAR DONN.
