Signal Fires

I saw it blaze the holy flame
That called from hill and valley
The brave and true in Irelands name
To Irelands cause to rally
I saw them haste from mountain glen
A solemn sight to see then
A gathering of united men
March proudly on for freedom
They meet within a valley where
The Slaney shining river
All softly throws upon the earth
The self same chorus ever
And through the night I could decry
My father's pike lay glistened
They sang the marching song and I
Stood silently to listen
They marched away the music died
My father heaven speed him
Is gone tonight my mother cried
To fight for Ireland's freedom
Tomorrow proudly shall arise
By mountain, hill, and kern
Upon it's own dear native skies
The banner green of Erin
And so it did when morning came
I saw it flutter proudly
And still it blazed that holy flame
I heard it crackle loudly
Like father soon that banner fell
That flame had once still burned
My father awful sad to tell
He never more returned
Full many a year has passed since then
And yet in fancy's dreaming
I see within that lonely glen
The green flag proudly streaming
I even see the gathering there
And see the pike blaze glisten
And when there comes the marching air
I pause awhile and listen
And dreamily I see the flame
That called from hill and valley
The brave and true in Ireland's name
For Ireland's cause did rally
But now I'm old and shattered much
Yet heaven may I die there
Until I see another flame
Burn bright, and long, and holy there