When boyhoods fire was in my blood I read of ancient freemen For Greece and rome who bravely stood 300 men and 3 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 loves brightest summer glow Outshine that solemn starlight It seemed to watch above my head In forum field and fame It's angels voice sang round my bed A nation once again It whispered too that freedoms ark And service high and holy Would be profaned by feeling dark And passions vain or lowly For freedom comes from God's right hand And needs a godly train And righteous men must make our land A nation once again