'Ninety-Eight

2. Cave Hill above the Lagan’s noises rearing
Her shaggy head in pride;
Lone Ednavady’s brow and Antrim staring
Across Lough Neagh’s rough tide.

3. Killala still her weary watch maintaining
Beside the ocean’s boom,
And Castlebar in faithful guard remaining
Around the Frenchmen’s tomb.

4. Ross, Wexford, Gorey, Oulart, Tubberneering,
And many a Wicklow glen
That knew the dauntless souls and hearts unfearing
Of Dwyer and all his men.

5. These, through a hundred years of gloom and doubting
Speak trumpet-toned to-day,
Above the cry of creed and faction’s shouting
To tread the olden way.

7. They bring us visions, full of tears and sorrow,
Of homes and hearts left lone;
Of eyes grown dim with watching for a morrow
Of joy that never shone.

8. But, too, they whisper notes of preparation
And strength beyond the seas,
Of hope outliving night and desolation
Through all the centuries.

9. Then to the staff-head let our flag ascending,
Our fires on every hill
Tell to the nations of the earth attending
We wage the battle still.

10. Tell to the nations, though the grass is o’er them,
For many a weary year,
Our fathers’ souls still thrill the land that bore them,
Their spirit still is there.