A NATION ONCE AGAIN ------------------------- Written by Thomas Davis ------------------------- When boyhood's fire was in my blood I read of ancient freemen Of Greece and Rome, who bravely stood Three hundred men and three men And then I prayed I yet might see Our fetters rent in twain And Ireland long a province, be A nation once again Chorus A nation once again A nation once again And Ireland long a province, be A nation once again So from the time through wildest woe That hope has shone a far light Nor could love brightest summer glow Outshine that solemn starlight It seemed to watch above my head In forum, field and fane It's angle voice rang round my bed "A nation once again" So as I grew from boy to man I bent me to that bidding- The spirit of each selfish plan And cruel passions ridding For thus, I hoped some day to aid- Oh, can such hope be vain? When my dear country shall be made A nation once again