85. John O’Dwyer of the Glen

BLITHE the bright dawn found me,

Rest with strength had crown’d me,

Sweet the birds sang around me

Sport was their toil.

The horn its clang was keeping,

Forth the fox was creeping,

Round each dame stood weeping,

O’er the prowler’s spoil.

Hark! the foe is calling,

Fast the woods are falling,

Scenes and sights appalling

Mark the wasted soil.

War and confiscation

Curse the fallen nation;

Gloom and desolation

Shade the lost land o’er,

Chill the winds are blowing,

Death aloft is going,

Peace or hope seems growing

For our race no more.

Hark! the foe is calling,

Fast the woods are falling,

Scenes and sights appalling

Throng the blood-stained shore

Nobles once high-hearted,

From their homes have parted,

Scattered, scared, and started

By a base-born band.

Spots that once were cheering,

Girls beloved, endearing,

Friends from whom I’m steering,

Take this parting tear.