Poet, Patriot And Martyr Poem by Francis Duggan

Terence MacSwiney Cork's own martyr poet
He gave his life that Ireland might be free
And his name into the history book is wrote
The book of Ireland's tragic history.

MacSwiney he was brave yes he was brave
As brave a man as ever drew life's breath
For Ireland's cause the life in him he gave
And for Ireland's cause he starved himself to death.

MacSwiney was a poet with patriot mind
And what is more he was a moral man
He was not cruel hearted or subversive kind
'Nay' he was true the true Republican.

A famed poet and the revered mayor of Cork
Against the occupying forces he spoke out
And for that was jailed and he died on hunger strike
Against injustices he could not keep a shut mouth.

If everybody were even half so brave
The World would be free of injustices today
Terence MacSwiney was the great Lord Mayor of Cork
And by his good example he always led the way.