The West's Asleep (Thomas Davis) When all beside a vigil keep, The West's asleep, the West's asleep- Alas! and well may Erin weep, When Connaught 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 lovely, land Freedom and Nationhood demand- Be sure, the great God never plann'd, For slumbering 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 dash'd each Connaught clan- And fleet as deer the Normans ran Through Coirrsliabh Pass and Ard Rathain.* 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 wave. * Vulgarly written Corlews and Ardrahan. [note in Spirit of the Nation] And if, when all a vigil keep, The West's; asleep, the West's asleep- Alas! and well may Erin weep, That Connaught lies in slumber deep. But-hark! -some voice like thunder spake: " The West's awake, the West's awake'- Sing oh! hurra! let England quake, We'll watch till death for Erins sake!" JM apr97
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!