God Save Ireland

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"God Save Ireland" was the unofficial national anthem of the Irish Republic and the Irish Free State from 1919 to 1926, when it was displaced by the official Amhrán na bhFiann.

The song was written by T. D. Sullivan in 1867, and first published December 7th 1867, inspired by Edmund O'Meager Condon's speech from the dock when he stood trial along with the three Manchester Martyrs (Michael Larkin, William Phillip Allen, and Michael O'Brien).^[1] After the three were executed, the song was adopted as the Fenian movement's anthem. This song shares its tune with "Tramp Tramp Tramp (The Prisoner's Hope)" a song reportedly written in 1863 by George F. Root in response to conditions in the Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prison during the American Civil War.^[2]

John McCormack, an Irish tenor residing in the United States, had a big hit with the number, making the first of his popular phonograph records of it in 1906. For some years he was not welcome in Great Britain because of this.

Workers during the Dublin Lockout of 1913 adapted the lyrics to "God Save Jim Larkin", after the union leader. Later the song was sung at soccer matches by fans of the Republic of Ireland team, and by those of Celtic Football Club.

[edit] Lyrics

High upon the gallows tree swung the noble-hearted three.

By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom;

But they met him face to face, with the courage of their race,

And they went with souls undaunted to their doom.

"God save Ireland!" said the heroes;

"God save Ireland" said they all.

Whether on the scaffold high

Or the battlefield we die,

Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!¹

Girt around with cruel foes, still their courage proudly rose,

For they thought of hearts that loved them far and near;

Of the millions true and brave o'er the ocean's swelling wave,

And the friends in holy Ireland ever dear.

"God save Ireland!" said the heroes;

"God save Ireland" said they all.

Whether on the scaffold high

Or the battlefield we die,

Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer,

Then with England's fatal cord around them cast,

Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly,

True to home and faith and freedom to the last.

"God save Ireland!" said the heroes;

"God save Ireland" said they all.

Whether on the scaffold high

Or the battlefield we die,

Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away,

Of the gallant lives thus given for our land;

But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe,

Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand.

"God save Ireland!" said the heroes;

"God save Ireland" said they all.

Whether on the scaffold high

Or the battlefield we die,

Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

¹Also 'Oh, no matter when for Ireland dear we fall!'

[edit] References

^ T. D., A. M., and D. B. Sullivan, Speeches from the Dock, re-edited by Seán Ua Cellaigh, M. H. Gill & Son, Dublin, 1953 (from the original in 1882), pp. 366–370.