Just a note of interest: This is not meant to be a direct translation, but rather an interpretation/adaptation. It was written by my grandfather, Thomas MacDonagh, poet and patriot (one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising). It is also published in the Oxford Book of Irish Verse and this version doesn't quite match the version in the Oxford Book.

The first line of Francis Ledwidge's poem "Thomas MacDonagh" is "He shall not hear the bittern cry". It is a reference to this poem/interpretation.