American Old Time Song Lyrics: 14 Gems Of Old Ireland
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 14
GEMS OF OLD IRELAND.
Sung with great success by John Walsh.
I'll sing in the praise of the gems of old Ireland,
Whose names are respected by friends and by foes;
Of men who were proud to acknowledge their sireland,
Of men who gained fame by words and by blows.
Their hearts brave and true never knew any danger,
And cheerfully they for their country did toil-
It must be acknowledged by friend and by stranger,
That they were bright gems from the Emerald isle.
First is Brian Barone, the great king, whose example
If followed by monarchs of this present day,
A blessing would prove, for his wisdom was ample,
He knew how to rule in a good kingly way.
Brave Patrick Sarsfleld, exiled from his sireland,
Exclaimed as he died on a foreigner's soil:
Would that this blood was shed for old Ireland!
Then died a bright gem from the Emerald isle.
If we boast of our gems, surely, no one could blame us,
When we have produced men like those I will name:
Balfe, Wallace, and Tom Moore, who made themselves famous,
With music and poetry they gained their fame.
There's Sheridan, Goldsmith, and Swift, three more great men-
What nation on earth ever equaled their style?
There's Burke, and there's Grattan, two eloquent statesmen.
All these are bright gems from the Emerald isle.
The memory of Wolfe Tone, who fought for Ireland's glory,
Is equaled by that of famed Red Hugh O'Neill;
Their deeds I've oft heard related in story,
And Irishmen proud of these heroes should feel.