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THE MAN WHO LED THE VAN OF IRISH VOLUNTEERS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The gen'rous sons of erin, in manly virtue bold
Last Line: The gallant man, who led the van of irish volunteers.
Variant Title(s): In Praise Of Grattan
Subject(s): Freedom; Grattan, Henry (1746-1820); Irish Unification Question; Liberty


THE gen'rous sons of Erin, in manly virtue bold,
With hearts and hands preparing our country to uphold,
Tho' cruel knaves and bigot slaves disturbed our isle some years,
Now hail the man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.

Just thirty years are ending, since first his glorious aid,
Our sacred rights defending, struck shackles from our trade;
To serve us still, with might and skill, the vet'ran now appears,
That gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.

He sows no vile dissensions; good will to all he bears;
He knows no vain pretensions, no paltry fears or cares;
To Erin's and to Britain's sons his worth his name endears;
They love the man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.

Opposed by hirelings sordid, he broke oppression's chain;
On statute-books recorded his patriot acts remain;
The equipoise his mind employs of Commons, King and Peers,
The upright man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.

A British constitution -- to Erin ever true --
In spite of state pollution, he gained in 'Eighty-two';
'He watch'd it in its cradle, and bedew'd its hearse with tears,'
This gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.

While other nations tremble, by proud oppressors gall'd,
On hustings we'll assemble, by Erin's welfare call'd;
Our Grattan, there we'll meet him, and greet him with three cheers;
The gallant man, who led the van of Irish Volunteers.





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