On the ninetieth anniversary of the Easter Rising, it may be appropriate to reflect on the words of an earlier patriot, recently referred to by one of our regulars on Discussions – the Protestant patriot Thomas Davis.
She is a rich and rare land
Oh she’s a fresh and fair land;
She is a dear and rare land
This native land of mine.
No men than hers are braver,
Her women’s hearts ne’er waver;
I’d freely die to save her
And think my lot divine.
She’s not a dull or cold land,
No, she’s a warm and bold land,
Oh, she’s a true and old land
This native land of mine.
Could beauty ever guard her
And virtue still reward her
No foe would cross her border –
No friend within it pine.
Oh, she’s a fresh and fair land,
Oh, she’s a true and rare land,
Yes, she’s a rare and fair land,
This native land of mine.
P.S. Sorry about the ‘Protestant patriot’! No, I don’t know what that is either!
It’s just that so many of our finest – those whose reputation endured, belonged to the Protestant faith.
Is there a lesson in there somewhere?