The Ireland National Anthem

The Ireland National Anthem - the words in English

The Ireland National Anthem - Below are the words, music and song of this uplifting patriotic anthem in English.

The song was originally written in English but was translated into Irish by Liam Ó Rinn.
It is normally sang in the Irish Language today.

Written by Bulmer Hobson in 1912
Translated to Irish by Liam Ó Rinn in 1923
Music composed by Peadar Kearney & Patrick Heeney in 1907

Adopted as the Irish National Anthem in 1926

A Soldier's Song

Soldiers are we
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland

Some have come
From a land beyond the wave

Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land

Shall shelter the despot o'er the slave
Tonight we man the bearna baol - (Gap of Danger)

In Erin’s cause, come woe or weal (well)
’Mid cannon’s roar and rifles’ peal

We’ll chant a soldier’s song

The Irish Language version

How the Soldiers song sounds in English..

The Ireland National Anthem actually consists of just the chorus of the original song, of which there are 3 verses.

The original song was an Irish rebel song, coaxing all Irish men to participate in the struggle to end the hegemony - despot over slave - of the English - Saxon foe

The song alludes to earlier rebellions and to the support from other lands - beyond the wave..

Following are the complete lyrics in English.

The Soldier's Song

We’ll sing a song, a soldier’s song
With cheering rousing chorus
As round our blazing fires we throng
The starry heavens o’er us
Impatient for the coming fight
And as we await the morning’s light
Here in the silence of the night
We’ll chant a soldier’s song

Soldiers are we...

In valley green, on towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered ’neath the same old flag
That’s proudly floating o’er us
We’re children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We’ll chant a soldier’s song

Soldiers are we...

Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long-watched day is breaking
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the tyrant quaking
Our camp fires now are burning low
See in the east a silv’ry glow
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe
So chant a soldier’s song

Soldiers are we...

The Irish words of the National Anthem

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