124. How Oft Has the Banshee Cried

HOW oft has the Banshee cried!

How oft has death untied

Bright links that Glory wove,

Sweet bonds entwined by Love!

Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth;

Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth;

Long may the fair and brave

Sigh o’er the hero’s grave!

We’re fallen on evil days!

Star after star decays,

Every bright name that shed

Light o’er the land is fled.

Dark falls the tear of him that mourneth

Lost joy, or hope that ne’er returneth:

But brightly flows the tear

Wept o’er a hero’s bier.

Quenched are our beacon lights—

Thou, of the Hundred Fights!

Thou, on whose burning tongue

Truth, peace and freedom hung!

Both mute—but long as valor shineth,

Or mercy’s soul at war repineth,

So long shall Erin’s pride

Tell how they lived and died.