DAN KEATING -- THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY
by Séamus Robinson ©2007
(for Dan Keating 1902 – 2007, unconquered, unconquerable and unrepentant)
A kern, you prowled among the trees
Till charging forth from leafy glade,
To make the Saxon raider feel
The temper of your vengeful blade –
You are the wind
that shakes the barley.
And when the great earls turned away
To seek out aid in foreign climes,
You sheathed your sword in friendly hay
And stayed for other times –
You are the wind that shakes the barley.
And when you saw our wild geese go
To shed their blood for France or Spain,
You vanished like a summer snow
To work for Freedom’s day again --
You are the wind that shakes the barley.
And when you marched o’er Irish hills
To fight the forces of the Crown,
You won the battle of the wills
And struck the foeman down –
You are the wind that shakes the barley.
And when her children took the gold
And sold their mother yet again,
You kept faith with your oath of old
To free her from the chain –
You are the wind that shakes the barley.
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