For we carried our packs with Marshal Saxe

When Louis was our King.

But Douglas Haig's our Marshal now

And we're King George's men,

And after one hundred and seventy years

We're fighting for France again!

Ah, France! And did we stand by you,

[51]

When life was made splendid with gifts and rewards?

Ah, France! And will we deny you

In the hour of your agony, Mother of Swords?

Old Days! The wild geese are flighting,

Head to the storm as they faced it before!

For where there are Irish there's loving and fighting,

And when we stop either, it's Ireland no more!

Ireland no more!

[52]

A NATIVITY

1916

The Babe was laid in the Manger

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