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 A nation once again, A nation once again And Ireland long a province be a nation once again And from that time through wildest woe That hope has shown a far light Nor could love's brightest summer glow Outshine that solemn starlight It seem to watch abov' my head Through foreign fields and fame Its angel voice sang 'round my bed, A nation once again A nation once again, A nation once again And Ireland long a province be a nation once again So as I grew from boy to man I bent me to my bidding My spirit of each selfish plan And cruel passion ridding For thus I hope some day to wake Nor can such hope be vain When my dear country shall be made A nation once again A nation once again A nation once again And Ireland long a province be a nation once again