by Thomas D'Arcy McGee (1825 - 1868)
Salutation to the Celts
Language: English
Hail to our Celtic brethren wherever they may be, In the far woods of Oregon, or o'er the Atlantic Sea, Whether they guard the banner of St. George in Indian vales, Or spread beneath the nightless North experimental sails -- One in name and in fame are the sea-divided Gaels. Though fallen the state of Erin, and changed the Scottish land, Though small the power of Mona, though unwaked Lewellyn's band, Though Ambrose Merlin's prophecies degenerate to tales, And the cloisters of Iona are bemoan'd by northern gales -- One in name and in fame are the sea-divided Gaels. In Northern Spain and Brittany our brethren also dwell, Oh, brave are the traditions of their fathers that they tell; The eagle and the crescent in the dawn of history pales Before their fire, that seldom flags, and never wholly fails -- One in name and in fame are the sea-divided Gaels. A greeting and a promise unto them all we send; Their character our charter is, their glory is our end; Their friend shall be our friend, our foe whoe'er assails The past or future honors of the far-dispersed Gaels: One in name and in fame are the sea-divided Gaels.
Confirmed with The Poems of Thomas d'Arcy McGee, New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1886, pages 135-136.
Authorship:
- by Thomas D'Arcy McGee (1825 - 1868), "Salutation to the Celts" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Alicia Adélaïda Needham (1863 - 1945), "Salutation to the Celts", published 1904, from A Bunch of Shamrocks, no. 12, London: Boosey & Co. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
Researcher for this page: Melanie Trumbull
This text was added to the website: 2016-08-27
Line count: 20
Word count: 197