The West's Awake lyrics - Celtic Thunder

When all beside a vigil keep

The West's asleep, the West's asleep

Alas! and well may Erin weep

When Connacht lies in slumber deep

There lake and plain smile fair and free

'Mid rocks their guardian chivalry

Sing, Oh! let man learn liberty

From crashing wind and lashing sea

That chainless wave and lovely land

Freedom and nationhood demand

Be sure the great God never planned

For slumb'ring slaves a home so grand

And long a brave and haughty race

Honoured and sentinelled the place

Sing, Oh! not even their sons' disgrace

Can quite destroy their glory's trace

For often, in O'Connor's van

To triumph dashed each Connacht clan

And fleet as deer the Normans ran

Thro' Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan

And later times saw deeds as brave

And glory guards Clanricarde's grave

Sing, Oh! they died their land to save

At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave

And if, when all a vigil keep

The West's asleep! the West's asleep

Alas! and well may Erin weep

That Connacht lies in slumber deep

But, hark! a voice like thunder spake

The West's awake! the West's awake

Sing, Oh! hurrah! let England quake

We'll watch till death for Erin's sake