SALUTATION TO THE KELTS

Thomas D’Arcy McGee (1825-1868)

Born in County Louth, a very successful journalist in America. He edited the ‘Boston Pilot’ In 1844 he returned to Ireland and joined the ‘Nation’ but fled Ireland after the 1848 uprising. Settled in Canada he became a minister of the Crown. His denuncation of the Fenian Movement led to his assassination in Ottawa in 1868. 


 

SALUTATION TO THE KELTS

Hail to our Keltic brethren! Wherever they may be,

In the far woods of Oregon or o’er the Atlantic sea;

Whether they guard the banner of St George in Indian Vales,

Or spread beneath the nightless North experimental sails –

One in name and in fame

Are the sea-divided Gaels.

 

Though fallen the state of Erin, and changed the Scottish land,

Though small the power of Mona, though unwaked Llewellyn’s band,

Though Ambrose Merlin’s prophesies are held as idle tales,

Though Iona’s ruined cloisters are swept by northern gales:

One in name and in fame

Are the sea-divided Gaels

In northern Spain and Italy our brethren also dwell,

And brave are the traditions of their fathers that they tell;

The Eagle or the Crescent in the dawn of history pales

Before the advancing banners of the great Rome-conquering Gaels.

One in name and in fame

Are the sea-divided Gaels.

 

A greeting and a promise unto them all we send;

Their character our charter is, their glory is our end.

Their friend shall be our friend, our foe whoe’er assails

The glory or the story of the sea-divided Gaels.

One in name and in fame

Are the sea-divided Gaels.

 

 

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