Thomas MacDonagh, Poet & Patriot

I am walking with Our Saviour, Our Lord,

on a righteous, rebellious path

from Tipperary over to Dublin Town

carrying his cross upon my back.

The stars in Erin’s sky shine so bright

as we pass through pastures green.

Cú Chulainn’s roar we can hear at night

while banshees roam and scream.

We walk within the blood of the Gael

that has stained my country’s soil,

for sacred Ireland must rise at dawn.

the Imperial hold, we must uncoil.

And when Our Lord instructs us

to fight to the death to defend our land,

we will battle strong to the end

with Rosary beads clenched in our hands.

When the dawn of uprising will arrive,

when the fire of freedom will burn,

we will stare down at our enemy’s gun

praying that Ireland’s birth has begun.