Let Erin Remember Let Erin remember the days of old. Ere her faithless sons betrayed her; When Malachi wore the collar of gold, Which he won from her proud invader. When her kings, with standard of green unfurled, Led the Red-Branch Knights to danger; Ere the emerald gem of the western world Was set in the crown of a stranger.   On Lough Neagh’s bank as the fisherman strays, When the clear cold eve’s declining, He sees the round towers of other days In the wave beneath him shining: Thus shall memory often, in dreams sublime, Catch a glimpse of the days that are over; Thus, sighing, look thro’ the waves of time For the long-faded glories they cover.		The Minstrel-Boy The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone, In the ranks of death you’ll find him; His father’s sword he has girded on. And his wild harp slung behind him. “Land of song!” said the warrior-bard, “Tho’ all the world betrays thee, “One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard, “One faithful harp shall praise thee!”   The Minstrel fell! — but the foeman’s chain Could not bring his proud soul under; The harp he loved ne’er spoke again, For he tore its chords asunder; And said, “No chains shall sully thee, “Thou soul of love and bravery! “Thy songs were made for the pure and free, “They shall never sound in slavery.”