HYMN TO ST. PATRICK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 7, 6 June 1884, Page 23

HYMN TO ST. PATRICK.

THE following beautiful hymn, from the pen of the Rev. A. Ryan, vice-presiient^The College^ Thurles, is taken from his lately published novena to St. Patrick :— Hail, glorious saint of Ireland 1 We, Thy children, raise our"song to tnee ; Defend our land, and make her free From sin and Satan's tyranny. Defend thy sons from every foe ; Strike thou, O patriot saint I the blow For faith and fatherland ; and woe To all who seek their overthrow I As reptiles fled thy staff before, May viperous discords nee our shore, And strife and folly join no more To wreck our hope and rcb our store. Ia the darkest night, by tempests torn, The bark of Erin rode forlorn : Then wert thou by, to cheer and warn* ; Now, lo 1 the radiance of the morn. m Yes, morn is breaking, father dear — The Eastern skies are bright and clear ; . Thou wert our star through midnight drear, In noontide's peril still be near. Be near to guide the patriot's hand, Be near to make our people stand A fearless, true, united band. For freedom, faith, and fatherland. Oh 1 guard our Irish loyalty * To all that's justly, nobly free, To powers that rule by God's decree, To Church, to country, and to thee. Saint Patrick, may thy banner wave Triumphant o'er the enfranchised slave ; From chains of sin thy suppliant save, And lay me in a freeman's grave. Amen.