This page is part of an Irish genealogy web site called 'From Ireland' © Jane Lyons, Dublin, Ireland.

See Also : Love Index : Emmigration Index

The Exiles of Erin
Author unknown

Green were the fields where my forefathers dwelt,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
Though our farm was small, yet comforts we felt,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
At length came the day when our lease did expire,
And fain would I live where before lived my sire;
But ah! Well-a-day! I was forced to retire,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!

Though the laws I obeyed, no protection I found,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
With what grief I beheld my cot burned to the ground,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
Forced from my home – yea from where I was born,
To range the wide world – poor, helpless, forlorn;
I look back with regret, and my heart strings are torn,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!

With principles pure, patriotic and firm
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
To my country attached, and a friend to reform,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
I supported old Ireland – was ready to die for it;
If her foes ere prevailed I was well known to sigh for it;
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!

But hark! I hear sounds, and my heart is strong beating,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
Loud cries for redress, and avaunt on retreating,
O! Erin, mavourneen, slán leat go breá!
We have numbers, and numbers do constitute pow’r –
Let us will to be free – and we’re free from that hour;
Of Hibernia’s brave sons, oh! We feel we’re the flower –
But yudh, mavourneen! Erin go breá!

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©Jane Lyons November 2003

© Ed. Butler March 2001