The
Celtic
Encyclopedia
By
is
dedicated to
Rosemary
who made all things possible
The Celtic
Encyclopedia © 1997 Harry Mountain
version 2.0 (2012)
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THE SWORD
What rights the brave?
The sword!
What frees the slave?
The sword!
What smites in twain
The tyrant’s chain,
And make his gyves and
fetters vain?
The sword!
Chorus
Then cease thy proud
task never
While rests a link to
sever!
Guard of the free,
We'll cherish thee,
And keep thee bright
forever!
What checks the knave?
The sword!
What smites to save?
The sword!
What wreaks the wrong
Unpunished long,
At last, upon the
guilty strong?
The sword!
What shelters wright?
The sword!
What makes it might?
The sword!
What strikes the crown
Of tyrants down,
And answers with its
flash their frown?
The sword!
Still be thou true,
Good sword!
We'll die or do,
Good Sword!
Leap forth to light
If tyrants smite,
And trust our arms to
wield thee right,
Good Sword!
Chorus
Yes! cease thy proud
task never
While rests a link to
sever!
Guard of the free,
We'll cherish thee,
and keep thee bright
for ever!
M.J.
Barry - from "Song of The Sword and The Soldier"