John Ceirog Hughes , "Liberty" (c. 1888)
Transcribed from pages 317-318 of The Poetry of Freedom anthology (1945), edited by William Rose Benét and Norman Cousins.
LIBERTY
- See, see where royal Snowdon rears
- Her hoary head above her peers
- To cry that Wales is free!
- Oh hills which guard our liberties,
- With outstretched arms to where you rise
- In all your pride, I turn my eyes
- And echo, "Wales is free!"
- O'er Giant Idris' lofty seat,
- O'er Berwyn and Plynlimon great
- And hills which round them lower meet,
- Blow winds of liberty.
- And like the breezes high and strong,
- Which through the cloudwrack sweep along
- Each dweller in this land of song
- Is free, is free, is free!
- Never, O Freedom, let sweet sleep
- Over that wretch's eyelids creep
- Who bears with wrong and shame.
- Wake him to feel thy spirit nigh,
- And like a hero do or die,
- And smite the arm of tyranny,
- And lay its haunts aflame.
- Rather than peace which makes thee slave,
- Rise, Europe, rise, and draw thy glaive,
- Lay foul oppression in its grave,
- No more the light to see.
- The heavenward turn thy grateful gaze
- And like the rolling thunder raise
- Thy triumph song of joy and praise
- To God—that thou art free!
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