The Arms of 'Eighty-two

They rose to guard their fatherland —
In stern resolve they rose,
In bearing firm, in purpose grand,
To meet the world as foes.
They rose, as brave men ever do ;
And flashing bright,
They bore to light
The Arms of 'Eighty-two !

O 'twas a proud and solemn sight
To mark that broad array
Come forth to claim a nation's right
'Gainst all who dared gainsay ;
And despots shrunk, appalled to view
The men who bore,
From shore to shore,
The Arms of 'Eighty-two !

They won her right — they passed away
Within the tomb they rest —
And coldly lies the mournful clay
Above each manly breast ;
But Ireland still may proudly view
What that great host
Had cherished most —
The Arms of 'Eighty-two !

Time-honoured comrades of the brave-
Fond relics of their fame !
Does Ireland hold one coward slave
Would yield you up to shame ?
One dastard who would tamely view
The alien's hand,
Insulting, brand
The Arms of 'Eighty-two ?