MacKENNA'S DREAM
One night of late I chanced to stray to shores that's far away
When all the green in slumber lay the moon sank in the deep;
I sat upon a ruined mount and while the wild wind whistled round
The ocean with a solemn sound soon luled me fast asleep.
I dreamt I say that hero true who did the Danish force subdue,
His sabre bright with wrath he drew, these words he said to me:
"The harp with rapture yet shall sound, my children's chains shall be unbound
And they shall gather safe around the bloooming laurel tree!"
I thought brave Sarsfield drew up nigh and to my question made reply
"For Erin's cause I'll live and die as thousands did before.
My sword again on Aughrim's plain old Ireland rights will well maintain
Through millions in the battle slain and thousands in their gore."
I thought Saint Ruth stood on the ground and said "I'll be your monarch Crowned
Encompassed by the French around, all marching to the field."
He raised a cross and this did say: "Brave boys we'll show them gallant play,
Let no man dare disgrace the day, we'll die before we yeild."
The brave O'Byrne he was there from Ballymanus bright and fair
Brought Wicklow, Carlow and Kildare to march at his command;
Westmeath and Cavan too did join, the County Louth men crossed the Boyne,
Slane Trim and Navan too did join with Dublin to a man.
Then Father Murphy came to say: "Behind my Lords, I'm here to-day
With Eighteen thousand pikeman gay from Wexford's hills and caves:
Our country's fate, it sure depends on us and on our gallant friends
And heaven will our cause defend who ne'er were willing slaves.
I thought the band played "Patrick's Day" to marshal all the grand array
With cap and feathers, colours gay they marched in warlike glow.
With drums and trumpets loud and shrill, and cannon upon every hill,
And pikeman who with valour thrill to strike the fatal blow.
The enemy made such a square as drove our cavalry to despair
Who were nigh routed rank and rear but yet not forced to yield.
The Wexford boys that ne'er were slack came with the brave Tipps at their back
With Longford joined who in a crack soon sent them off the field.
They gave three cheers for liberty as the enemy all broken flee,
I looked around but could not see one foeman on the plain;
Except the men who wounded lay on the field so far way;
When I awoke 'twas break of day - so ends MacKeena's dream.
Transcribed June 25, 2000 by T. M. Carlsen
Note from transcriber: spelling and punctuation as in original.