Oh! Erin my country, my ancestor's home! <br />Impelled by my wants, I, from thee, had to roam; <br />And now my heart yearneth, sore longeth for thee <br />My dear native Ireland, my 'gem of the sea.' <br /> <br />Oh! Erin my country, thou land of the brave! <br />Who'll rescue from tyr'ny, who'll ransom and save? <br />Thy despots so strong, are still wielding their power, <br />To bind thee in slavery both now and forever. <br /> <br />Speak! speak! who will rescue our Emerald Isle? <br />Now bowed by the oppressor in servitude vile! <br />Her sons are all scattered, her daughters are gone, <br />And she is left desolate, forlorn and alone. <br /> <br />I'll sigh for thee Erin, when spring winds doth fan, <br />With musical breathings, this far distant land; <br />'Twill remind me of youth's happy days on thy shore- <br />Of days, mournful thought, I shall never see more. <br /> <br />I'll weep for thee Erin, as the blue waters surge, <br />Shall re-echo my wailing, shall chant the sad dirge; <br />Of Ireland in slavery, once land of the free; <br />Of Ireland, my country, my 'gem of the sea.'<br /><br />Mary Weston Fordham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-to-erin/
