Comment by Ryan O'Rourke on October 31, 2014 at 10:46am

Lyrics:

When all beside a vigil keep, 
The West's asleep, the West's asleep - 
Alas! and well may Erin weep 
When Connacht lies in slumber deep. 
There lake and plain smile fair and free, 
'Mid rocks their guardian chivalry. 
Sing, Oh ! let man learn liberty 
From crashing wind and lashing sea. 

That chainless wave and lovely land 
Freedom and nationhood demand; 
Be sure the great God never planned 
For slumb'ring slaves a home so grand. 
And long a brave and haughty race 
Honoured and sentinelled the place. 
Sing, Oh! not even their sons' disgrace 
Can quite destroy their glory's trace. 

For often, in O'Connor's van, 
To triumph dashed each Connacht clan. 
And fleet as deer the Normans ran 
Thro' Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan; 
And later times saw deeds as brave, 
And glory guards Clanricard's grave, 
Sing, Oh! they died their land to save 
At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave. 

And if, when all a vigil keep, 
The West's asleep! the West's asleep! 
Alas! and well may Erin weep 
That Connacht lies in slumber deep. 
But, hark! a voice like thunder spake, 
The West's awake! the West's awake! 
Sing, Oh! hurrah! let England quake, 
We'll watch till death for Erin's sake

Comment by Jim Curley on November 1, 2014 at 7:29pm

I wish I knew all the references, but I love this song. Up Connacht!!!

Comment by The Wild Geese on November 3, 2014 at 3:30pm

Up the West!

Comment by Richard R. Mc Gibbon Jr. on November 3, 2014 at 7:25pm

Grandly done. Good mix of voices and an interesting collection of photos. I have performed this song in the past myself but have never heard of the second verse. Again very well done can't wait to hear more ,.... ;-)

Slainte!

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