[ConorMacNessa]

Here's another of Moore's works you may be familiar with:

The Minstrel Boy

The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.
"Land of song!" said the warrior-bard,
"Though all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

The Minstrel fell! -- but the foeman's chain
Could not bring his proud soul under;
The harp he loved ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said, "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery."

Thomas Moore

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

And finally:

Love thee dearest? Love thee?

Love thee, dearest? Love thee?
Yes, by yonder star I swear,
Which through tears above thee
Shines so sadly fair;
Though often dim
With tears, like him
And - love thee, dearest? Love thee
Yes, till death I'm thine.

Leave thee, dearest? Leave thee?
No, that star is not more true;
When my vows deceive thee,
He will wander too.
A cloud of night
My veil his light
And death shall darken mine
But - leave thee, dearest? Leave thee?
No, till Death I'm thine.

Thomas Moore

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[little jeremiah]

I used to sing that song in 6th grade. Still makes me have chills. (It was was a British school, we sang lots of good songs like “Men of Harlech”.)