Cicely Fox Smith

1 February 1882 – 8 April 1954 / Lymm, Cheshire

Faugh-A-Ballagh (Clear The Way!)

O far o'er the ocean and far from old Ireland
Stubborn the work that is doing today:
All for the rose and the shamrock and thistle
Forward together and clear the way!
Where's the man of us all would fear?
Give them the steel and charge with a cheer!
All for the rose and the shamrock and thistle,
Forward to victory - clear the way!

On to the trenches, tho' darkly behind them
Gather the foemen that wait for the fray:
Who would not lead where the battle is hottest?
Who'll be the foremost to clear the way?
Where's the man of us all would fear?
Give them the steel and charge with a cheer!
All for the rose and the shamrock and thistle,
Forward to victory - clear the way!

Madly the bugles are crying us onward:
Sweet to our ears is the music they play:
Charge - for the rose and the shamrock and thistle!
Home with the bayonet - clear the way!
Where's the man of us all would fear?
Give them the steel and charge with a cheer!
All for the rose and the shamrock and thistle,
Forward to victory - clear the way!
147 Total read