The Spark - Joseph Mary Plunkett

Because I used to shun

Death and the mouth of hell

And count my battle won

If I should see the sun

The blood and smoke dispel,

Because I used to pray

That living I might see

The dawning light of day

Set me upon my way

And from my fetters free,

Because I used to seek

Your answer to my prayer

And that your soul should speak

For strengthening of the weak

To struggle with despair,

Now I have seen my shame

That I should thus deny

My soul’s divinest flame,

Now shall I shout your name.

Now shall I seek to die

By any hands but these

In battle or in flood,

On any lands or seas,

No more shall I share ease,

No more shall I spare blood

When I have need to fight

For heaven or for your heart,

Against the powers of light

Or darkness I shall smite

Until their might depart,

Because I know the spark

Of God has no eclipse,

Now Death and I embark

And sail into the dark

With laughter on our lips.