Do You Know What It Means To Be Irish?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IRISH?

Do you know what it means to be Irish
Though you may ne’er stepped on Irish shores?
Does your heart crave unseen
Forty shades of green,
The Atlantic beatin’ outside your door?

Do you know what it means to love Ireland
Despite forefathers long ago fled?
Do you crave the odd yearning
Of a peat fire burning
When night comes and you lay down your head?

Do you cherish the names and the places -
Dub - lin….Wicklow, Inisfree
Cork, Ennis,
Derry and Gweedore
Galway, Knock and Kilkenney?

Do you know the Surname that you  sprung from
In some village not far from the Sea?
Can you see the tall stones,
Celtic crosses, thatched homes
From the Shannon  onto the Liffey?

Will you come when the Land finally calls you
Back home to kin and to clan?
Will you rise up and go?
Will you follow your soul
‘Cross the Ocean home to Ireland?

Do you bow to dear old Mother Ireland?
For Her spirit Air, Water and Earth
Taught her children to face
All life’s trials with grace
Befitting an Irishman’s birth

Then you know what it means to be Irish
For Ireland dwells deep in your heart
No matter what test
Or where your feet rest
From your Irish you never shall part…

No matter what test…or where your feet rest
From your Irish you never shall part…