The West's Sleep

AIR--_The Brink of the White Rocks._ I. When all beside a vigil keep, The West's asleep, the West's asleep-- Alas! and well may Erin weep, When Connaught lies in slumber deep. There lake and plain smile fair and free, 'Mid rocks--their guardian chivalry-- Sing oh! let man learn liberty From crashing wind and lashing sea. II. That chainless wave and lovely land Freedom and Nationhood demand-- Be sure, the great God never planned, For slumbering slaves, a home so grand. And, long, a brave and haughty race Honoured and sentinelled the place-- Sing oh! not even their sons' disgrace Can quite destroy their glory's trace. III. For often, in O'Connor's van, To triumph dashed each Connaught clan-- And fleet as deer the Normans ran Through Corlieu's Pass and Ardrahan. And later times saw deeds as brave; And glory guards Clanricarde's grave-- Sing oh! they died their land to save, At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave. IV. And if, when all a vigil keep, The West's asleep, the West's asleep-- Alas! and well may Erin weep, That Connaught lies in slumber deep. But, hark! some voice like thunder spake: '_The West's awake! the West's awake!_'-- 'Sing oh! hurra! let England quake, We'll watch till death for Erin's sake!'