Richard Dyer-Bennet once recorded Beethoven's Scotch (sic) Songs and Irish Songs. Tunes were traditional; words were commissioned.

It's been a long time, but the one set to St. Patrick's Day started out:

Tho' dark are the hours, today we'll forget them
And smile through our tears like a sunbeam through show'rs
There never were hearts, if our rulers would let them
More formed to be grateful and blessed than hours.
But just when the chain has ceased to pain
And hope has enwreath'd it about with flow'rs
There comes a new link, our spirit to sink
Oh the joy that we know, like the light at the Pole
Is a flash amidst darkness, too brilliant to stay
But tho' 'twere the last little light in our soul
We must light it up now on our good Prince's day.