Ellen O'Leary (1831-1889). Songs and Ballads. I. To God and Ireland True. Alfred H. Miles, ed. 1907. Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century

Alfred H. Miles, ed. Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

Songs and Ballads.
I. To God and Ireland True

By Ellen O’Leary (1831–1889)


I SIT beside my darling’s grave,
Who in the prison died,
And tho’ my tears fall thick and fast
I think of him with pride:
Ay, softly fall my tears like dew,	5
For one to God and Ireland true.

“I love my God o’er all,” he said,
“And then I love my land,
And next I love my Lily sweet,
Who pledged me her white hand:	10
To each—to all—I’m ever true,
To God, to Ireland, and to you.

No tender nurse his hard bed smoothed,
Or softly raised his head;
He fell asleep and woke in heaven	15
Ere I knew he was dead;
Yet why should I my darling rue?
He was to God and Ireland true.

Oh! ’tis a glorious memory,
I’m prouder than a queen,	20
To sit beside my hero’s grave,
And think on what has been;
And, oh my darling, I am true
To God—to Ireland—and to you.