The poem posted by Rain Dog above can be found in Ballads of Irish Chivalry by Robert Dwyer Joyce (Boston: Patrick Donahoe, 1872), page 273, where it has 3 additional verses. I can well understand someone not wanting to sing those verses, though.


THE LESSON.
TO MY SON.

1. Boy, you are come of gentle blood,
   Though now of poor degree, —
Where'er you go, may God the Good
   Smile on your destiny;
Whate'er your future, dark or bright,
   Through life's becheckered span,
In fortune's glow, or blackest night,
   Still prove yourself a MAN!

2. While toiling up life's mountain rude,
   O'er pathways insecure,
A kindly bond of brotherhood
   Should bind you to the poor;
Whome'er you see misfortune grip
   And wither 'neath her ban,
Go, grasp his hand in fellowship,
   And prove yourself a MAN!

3. Whate'er you sow in heedless youth,
   In manhood you will reap;
Then walk in virtue's path of truth,
   And God's commandments keep,
For virtue is the surest friend
   Since life and time began;
Then with her arms your soul defend,
   And prove yourself a MAN.

4. Whene'er you see some coward slave
   To foreign rule incline;
For foreign gold, the sordid knave,
   His native land malign;
From peasants born, or nobly sprung,
   Howe'er his life-stream ran,
Go, curb the dastard's villain tongue,
   And prove yourself a MAN!

5. His native land! Our native land!
   I hear the warning hum,
Along the plains, from strand to strand,
   Of dangerous days to come;
But soldier poor, or general high,
   To lead her battle's van,
On danger look with steady eye,
   And prove yourself a MAN!

6. For Ireland oft your fathers dreed
   Misfortune's doomful wrath,
But yet in Ireland's darkest need
   Still tread the patriot's path;
A day shall come, whose glorious wind
   Her victor flags will fan,
With Christian soul and patriot mind,
   Then prove yourself a MAN!

7. O! wealth it is a faithless thing,
   And false are pride and fame;
For death may snap the human string
   While loudest throats acclaim;
Then ne'er let wealth, or fame, or pride,
   Your youthful heart trepan, —
Let Christian honor be your guide,
   And prove yourself a MAN!