A Soldier's Life - The Wolfe Tones

The tribune’s tongue and poet’s pen

May sow the seed in prostrate men

For it is a soldier’s sword alone

Can reap the crops so bravely sown

No more I’ll sing

No more I’ll pine

But train my soul to lead a line

A soldier’s life is the life for me

A soldier’s death can Ireland’s free

No foe would fear your thunder words

If it were not for your lightning source

If tyrants yield while millions pray

'Tis less they link in war’s array

Nor peace itself is safe but when

The sword is yielded by fighting men

A soldier’s life is the life for me

A soldier’s death can Ireland free

The rifle brown and sabre bright

Can freely speak and nobly write

What prophet taught to grieve so well

As Hofer, Breen, Bruce and Tell?

God guard the creed those heroes taught

That blood-fought freedom is cheaply bought

A soldier’s life is the life for me

A soldier’s death can Ireland free

Yet it is not strength and it is not steel

Alone can make the English reel

But wisdom working day by day

'Til comes a time for passion’s sway

The patient din and powder shot

Can knock an empire like a rock

A soldier’s life is the life for me

A soldier’s death can Ireland free

A soldier’s life is the life for me

A soldier’s death can Ireland free