G C G There's a dear little isle in the Western O-cean C G Am Em C There's an island of purity, holy and grand G Em G C G It's a name fills its daughters and sons with emotion C G Am G When they are out on a far distant strand [Verse 2] Em G C G 'Tis Ireland, my country, the birthplace of heroes C G Am Em C The home of the patriot, warrior and sage G Em G C G Of bards, and of chieftains, whose names live in stories C G Am G May they live forever on history's page [Verse 3] Em G C G You once were a proud and a glorious nation C G Am Em C Your name and your fame were known all over the world G Em G C G 'Til misfortune came o'er you and sad desolation C G C D Am G Your emerald banner in slavery lay unfurled [Verse 4] Em G C G They tortured your children, they spoiled your green banner C G Am Em C They tried to exterminate you, long, long, long ago G Em G C G But the Irish are somehow like wild creeping flowers C G C D Am G The faster you pluck them, the quicker they seem to grow [Verse 5] Em G C G I love every blade of grass green on your mountain C G Am Em C Every leaf on your tree and every rock on your strand G Em G C G I love your green valleys and murmuring fountains C G C D Am C G I love you, acushla, my own dear native land_____