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

Mother of soldiers! in the cause of Spain The Moors in Oran's trench by them were slain; For full an hundred years their fatal steel Has charged beside the lances of Castile. Carb'ry's, Tyrconnell's, Breffny's exiled lords To Spain and glory gave their gallant swords; And Spain, of honor jealous, gave them place Before her native sons in glory's race; Her noblest laurels graced your soldiers' head, Her dearest daughters shared your soldiers' bed; In danger's hour she call'd them to the front, And gave to them the praise who bore the brunt: Mother of soldiers! Spain to-day will be A willing witness for thy sons and thee!