THE WEST'S ASLEEP.

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.

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.

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.

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!”