They've Murdered Young Maurice O'Neill (Brian O'Higgins)

They've Murdered Young Maurice O'Neill
Author	Brian O'Higgins
Type	Poem

It rings through the mountains of Kerry

from Tarbert to Cahersiveen,

and wakens proud memories of valour

in the fights of the days that have been,

and out o'er the green fields of Ireland

it sweeps with a loud welling peal,

that cry full of anger and sorrow

"they have murdered young Maurice O'Neill"

And a prayer rises up from the faithful,

the faithful in woe and weal,

"this night 'mong the martyrs of Ireland,

God rest you brave Maurice O'Neill"

He sprang from a long line of free men,

who never bent knee to the foe,

and his heart gave unfaltering allegiance,

to a cause that was trampled and low,

he came to the red gap of danger

where thousands had fallen before,

he died like a Gael and a soldier

and his memory is green evermore

His name shines through the darkness of thraldom,

shines out like the flashing of steel,

and the true heart of Ireland is calling,

"God bless you brave Maurice O'Neill"

"Let no voice plead for me with the traitors"

he cried, when the death hour was nigh,

"May the young men be faithful forever,

to the cause that has caused me to die,

when the deathless Republic of Ireland

is rescued from thraldom and shame,

I ask but a place in her memory,

and her soldiers' salute to my name"

And the young men of Ireland make answer,

"when the foemen in front of us reel,

as we march to the dawn light of freedom,

you will march with us Maurice O'Neill".