Maidin Lae Phádraig (1863)

Uilleam Ruisséal, composed in Buckingham, Québec

At the time of this poem, the Fenian Raids coming from the United States sought to conquer Canada and hold it ransom for Ireland’s freedom from Britain. The poem shows that he strongly supported the Fenian movement and it should be read bearing this in mind.

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Quebec, 1924. Credit: Andrew Merrilees / Library and Archives Canada / 3192737

A fhíorchlanna Gaeil Glais dhon tsaorfhuil ba chalma

Laochas a ndearg túis baoil,

Le ’r taitneamh trom cúrach na doirse seo bhriseadh,

Le ’r cealg síol dána a raibh Éire;

‘Nois deiníg’ ar namhaid, is preabaíg’ sa ngliadh

Nuair a bhfuil saoire ná dualgas le fáil,

Is sásta le beatha do scapadh g’ mhoill,

Glacaíg’ bhur n-airm is dearbhaíg’ díoltas,

Do dheana ar aicme le cealg a chloígh sibh,

Is gléasfar bhur malaí ‘r duilliú na saoirse,

Go buach ar maidin lae Phádraig.

Oh true green Gaels of free blood most brave

Of true valour at dangers start

With your heavy frothing desire these doors to break

With your blade noble descendants of Ireland

Now make for the enemy, and leap into the battle

When freedom or natural right are to be had

And happiness of life to disperse without delay

Take up your arms and claim your vengeance

To be done on that tribe that conquered you by treachery

And your brows will be adorned with the wreaths of freedom

Victoriously on St. Patrick’s Day Morning

Cé fada tá Gaelaibh ag Gallaibh dá dtraochadh

Faoi dheara a gcruabhroid á achrách tláith

Beidh bun ‘r na mbua roimis le pearsa na mbuaireamh

Na buailteoirí á mbualadh ‘r fuinneamh a dtnáith

Is inniu tá bhur gcrua an luisne chun bua,

Breith ar shlua namhad bhur ndíl-inis bhláth,

Tuigíg’ g’ bhfuil lonradh na treise do ghnáith,

Is conradh na gaisce ‘s fíorchlanna saoithe,

Do léimfeadh san spairn is do ghoinfeadh a gclaimhte,

Á dtreas na gcrua-arm sa gcaismirt na saoirse,

‘R mhisneach ar maidin lae Phádraig.

How long are the Gaels by the foreigners distressed

Causing their brutal hardship being grinded weak

A beginning of victories will be before the anguished person

The victors being beaten by the force of their weakness

And today your hardship are the flush of victory

Catch upon the enemies of your loyal, gentle island,

Understand that the radiance of power is for your companions,

And the league of warriors and true descendants of wise men

That would leap into the struggle and would thrust their swords

Their lines of hardened army in the battle for freedom

With courage on St. Patrick’s Day Morning

Anois ar son Banba, a chlanna na dtréan

Ionsaíg’ bhur namhaid go hallta

Is deargaíg’ sleasa bhur lanna ‘s bhur sléa

Le fuil gach claonshladaire fallsa

Is tógaíg’ a’ tsnua ghal gréine na mbua –

An rí-bhratach uaine dhon tsuaitheantas sróil,

Is dílis do Chríost is do thír an bhinncheoil,

‘Nois saoraíg’ ó dhaorsmacht a rith Sacsa’ na dtóinigh,

An ghasra Ghaelach, d’fhíorfhéith na honóra,

Nó titigí traochta le créachta na glóire,

‘N ‘ur saorfhir ar maidin lae Phádraig!

Now for the sake of ancient Ireland, oh descendants of the strong

Attack your enemy wildly

And redden the blades of your swords and your spear

With the blood of each lying, unjust ravager

And take the appearance of the Fenian flag of victory -

The kingly flag of bright green for the emblem of satin,

And loyal to Christ and to the country of the sweet music,

Now make free from the enslavement of England of the Asses,

Oh young Gaels, of the true strength of honour,

Or fall exhausted in glorious ruination

As free men on St. Patrick’s Day Morning!

For citation, please use: Ruisséal, Uilleam. 1863. “Maidin Lae Phádraig.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca

Adapted from: The Irish American. 1863 (21 March). New York: Lynch, Cole & Co. See the original here.