Thomas D'Arcy McGee - Home Sonnets--Address to Ireland I lyrics

Mother of soldiers! once there was a time When your sons' swords won fame in many a clime; When Europe press'd on France, they fought alone For her, and served her better than their own! Those were the days your exiles made their fame By gallant deeds which put our age to shame-- Those were the days Cremona city, saved, Stood to attest what Irish valor braved! When England's chivalry, sore wounded fled Before the stormy charge O'Brien led-- When travellers saw in Ypres' coir display'd The trophies of your song-renown'd brigade! Mother of soldiers! France was proud to see Your shamrock then twined with the fleur de lis!