Fag an Bealach

" Hope no more for fatherland,
All its ranks are thinned or broken ; "
Long a base and coward band
Recreant words like these have spoken :
But we preach a land awoken ;
Fatherland is true and tried
As your fears are false and hollow ;
Slaves and dastards, stand aside —
Knaves and traitors, Fag an Bealach !

Know, ye suffering brethren ours,
Might is strong, but Right is stronger:
Saxon wiles or Saxon powers
Can enslave our land no longer
Than your own dissensions wrong her ;
Be ye one in might and mind —
Quit the mire where cravens wallow —
And your foes will flee like wind
From your fearless Fag an Bealach !

Thus the mighty multitude
Speak in accents hoarse with sorrow :
" We are fallen, but unsubdued ;
Show us whence we hope may borrow,
And we'll fight your fight to-morrow.
Be but cautious, true, and brave,
Where you lead us we will follow ;
Hill and valley, rock and wave,
Soon shall hear our Fag an Bealach ! "

Fling our banner to the wind,
Studded o'er with names of glory ;
Worth, and wit, and might, and mind,
Poet young, and patriot hoary,
Long shall make it shine in story.
Close your ranks — the moment's come —
NOW, ye men of Ireland ! follow ;
Friends of Freedom, charge them home —
Foes of Freedom, Fag an Bealach !