The West's Asleep

Words: Thomas Davis
Music: Possibly from an old air

This is, at least for me, one of the best of the Nationalist-type ballads. The music stirs the soul and the lyrics evoke images of Ireland's past.

When all beside a vigil keep
The West's asleep, the West's asleep
Alas and well may Erin weep
When Connacht lies in slumber deep
There lake and plain smile fair and free
'Mid rocks, their guardian chivalry
Sing, oh! Let man learn liberty
From crashing wave and lashing sea

That chainless wave and lovely land
Freedom and Nationhood demand
Be sure the great God never planned
For slumb'ring slaves a home so grand
And long a brave and haughty race
Honoured and sentinelled the place;
Sing, oh! Not e'en their son's disgrace
Can destroy their glory's trace

For often in O'Connor's van
To triumph dashed each Connacht clan
And fleet as deer the Normans ran
Throught Corsliabh pass and Ardrahan
And later times saw deeds as brave
And glory guards Clanricarde's grave
Sing, oh! They died their land to save
On Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave

Then if when all a vigil keep
The West's asleep, the West's asleep
Alas! And well may Erin weep
That Connacht lies in slumber deep
But hark! A voice like thunder spake
"The West's awake! The West's awake!
Sing, oh! Hurrah! Let England quake
We'll watch till death for Erin's sake
We'll watch till death for Erin's sake"