The Dead whno Died for Ireland

John Boyle O'Reilly 1844 (Dowth) – 1890 (Boston)



The dead who died for Ireland!
Oh, these are living words
To nerve the hearts of patriots
to steel avenging swords
They thrill the soul when spoken,
and lowly bend the head
With reverence for the memories
of all our martyred dead.

The dead who died for Ireland
the noble ones — the best,
Who gave their lives for Motherland,
Who poured upon her breast,
In Freedom's cause, the blood she gave —
Who with their dying breath,
Sent prayers to God to heal her woes —
then sealed their love in death.

The dead who died for Ireland,
How hallowed are their graves!
With all the memories fresh and green,
Oh! how could we be slaves?
How could we patient clang the chain?
How could we fawn and bow?
How could we crouch like mongrels
'neath the keeper's frowning brow?

Be proud, ye men of Ireland!
Be proud of those who died;
Never men o'er all the earth
Had greater cause for pride
Hope and strive, and league for freedom,
And again the souls will rise
Of the dead who died for Ireland
To cheer you to the prize.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 16, 2023

59 sec read
128

Quick analysis:

Scheme Abxxxcxc Adxdxexe Afxfxgbg ahxhxiai
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,001
Words 196
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 8

John Boyle O'Reilly

John Boyle O'Reilly was an Irish-born poet, journalist and fiction writer. more…

All John Boyle O'Reilly poems | John Boyle O'Reilly Books

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    "The Dead whno Died for Ireland" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/22050/the-dead-whno-died-for-ireland>.

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