American Old Time Song Lyrics: 48 What Pat Would Do For Dear Old Ireland
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 48
WHAT PAT WOULD DO FOR DEAR OLD IRELAND.
Copyright, 1895, by F. J. Tierney.
Words by Albert Hall. Music by Felix McGlennon.
Love of country is the purest love that's been created yet,
'Tis a love that never changes, 'tis a love we ne'er forget.
Lovers' vows may cool and languish, false tongues cause true hearts to break,
But 'tie not so with the true love, borne for kin and country's sake.
Where is there a man so craven who'd refuse to take a stand
'Gainst the foemen of his sireland, of his own, true native land?
Pat is forced from his dear nation far a-field for years to toil,
But would lose his life defending one small strip of Irish soil.
Chorus.
Think what a mother would do for her son,
Or a husband for the bride He's won;
Sure they'd lay down their lives for their own darling ones,
And that's what Pat would do for dear old Ireland.
In some city o'er the ocean we find Pat a wealthy man;
Life with him has been successful, truth and honor was his plan.
He has grown rich and respected for fair dealing in the mart;
But there steal through all his riches thoughts of home, though far apart;
And to-day, if Ireland needed, he would be the first to go,
And to wield his good right arm in her defense against the foe,
Leaving his new home, his riches; gladly he would leave his all,
If old Ireland were in danger And upon her sons should call.-Chorus.
Standing at some bar of justice, to old Ireland we may trace,
'Midst the herd of rogues and fellows, some true patriot's noble face,
Shrinking from those petty pilferers, he in silence stands alone,
For the charge 'gainst him is treason, treason to the queen and throne.
When the judge declares him guilty, see him lift that noble head,
And they pause for him to speak there, ere his sentence shall he said;
Well he knows Death is that sentence, but he looks up with a smile:
In that silent court he murmurs: "It was done for Erin's Isle." - Chorus.