That Dear Old Land
Note by DMacD: Tune:Albert Healy. Well I don't know that tune, but this sounds as though it should be sung to the tune of "Ireland Boys Hurray" - also the tune to "Deep in Canadian Woods We've Met". (NMacD)
I will sing tonight of a fairyland in the lap of the ocean set,
And of all the lands I have traveled o'er it's the loveliest I have met
Where the roses creep and the willows weep and the balmy breezes blow,
In the dear old land, that sweet old land where the beautiful rivers flow.
I'll sing of the lonely old churchyard where our fathers' bones are laid,
The cloister stands, its ruins grand which our tyrant foes have made
I will strike the harp with a mournful touch till the glistening tears will flow
For the dear old land, that sweet old land where the beautiful rivers flow.
And I'll sing of Emmet's lonely fate and of his lonely grave,
Of his early doom in his youthful bloom and his spirit more than brave
But oh how blest and calm his rest though his grave be cold and low,
In the dear old land, that sweet old land where the beautiful rivers flow.
And I'll sing of Tone and the Geraldines, proud Edward true and blest
They won the crown, a martyr's crown, they sleep in the shade of rest
In letters bold, their names enscrolled, they died in manhood's glow
For the dear old land, that sweet old land where the beautiful rivers flow.
I'll sing of Ireland's ancient days when her sires were kingly men
Who led the chase in headlong race through forest fields and glens
They kept their word to draw the sword to avenge the treacherous blow
Against the dear old land, that sweet old land where the beautiful rivers flow.