when boyhood s fire was in my blood i read of ancient freemen for greece and rome who bravely stood three hundred men and three men and there 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 it whisper d too that freedom s ark and service high and holy would be prepared by feelings dark and passion 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 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 that bidding my spirit of each selfish plan and cruel passion ridding for thus i hoped some day to aid oh can such hope be vain when my dear country should be made a nation once again  a nation once again a nation once again and ireland long a province be a nation once again