James Bernard Dollard, composed in Toronto, Ontario
This is the mystic language heard of old,
In ancient Éirinn, when the enchanted Sí
Danced to weird music over glen and lea:
When Oisín’s born awakened bill and wold.
This is the tongue whose slogan thundered bold
At famed Clontarf beside the ensanguined sea
And scattered fear by Béal-an-Átha-Buí
Where the fierce tide of Uladh’s battle rolled!
Soft as the summer’s breath o’er clover fields
Yet trenchant as the fabled “Sword of Light:”
The dread Claíomh Solais that swift Oscar wields
In Tír na nÓg: - the high reward of might.
Clear as the rays that flashed from Fenian shields:
Wild-sweet as fairy music thro’ the night.
Adapted from: Dollard, James. 1905. “The Gaelic Tongue.” Ottawa Review. 6. vii. University of Ottawa.
For citation, please use: Dollard, James. 1905. “The Gaelic Tongue.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca
