Lyr Add: The Spirit that Dwells at Florence Court

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLS AT FLORENCE COURT
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 12:50 PM

THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLS AT FLORENCE COURT.
AIR—March in Norma.

Hark! 'tis the voice of a spirit of light,
A spirit whose halo illumes the whole Island,
March to the Protestant cause in your might,
From city, from valley, from highland;
Oh! thro' that spirit,
May our deeds merit,
Glory immortal,
At freedom's portal;
Led by the spirit that cause to support,
The spirit that dwells at Florence Court.

Brave Enniskillen marshall'd her youth,
When Popish James her towers surrounded,
Oh! then the spirit of Protestant truth—
The trumpet of liberty sounded;
Loud war notes thrilling,
Ardour instilling,
Bright weapons flashing,
Troops on troops dashing;
Led by that spirit which oft did exhort,
The spirit that dwells at Florence Court.

Raise then the banner of Orange and Blue,
At Aughrim, Boyne, Limerick, Derry victorious,
Shoulder to shoulder, good men and true,
Whose souls never slumbered inglorious.
Up for the Altar,
Hearts that ne'er falter,
Up for the Throne too,
Hearts that ne'er fear knew;
Led by the spirit to war-field and fort,
The spirit that dwells at Florence Court.


—The Orange Melodist, Original Orange Songs, With Occasional Verses and an Appendix, Containing Copious Explanatory Notes, Brother William Archer, Oldbrige lodge 597 (Dublin: Brother J. Kirkwood, Printer, 13, Upper Ormond-quay, 1852).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Spirit that Dwells at Florence Court
From: chordstrangler
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 04:37 PM

As one who was born and bred within a stones throw of Florencecourt I can only say that reading this makes me damn glad I got out of the place when I did.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Spirit that Dwells at Florence Court
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 05:14 PM

When boyhood's fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood
Three hundred men and three men
And then I prayed I yet might see
Our fetters rent in twain
And Ireland long a province be
A nation once again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Spirit that Dwells at Florence Court
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:41 PM

Wasnt ever a nation before.....just lots of war lords attacking each other.....but it is a romantic notion that is inspirational and a good line of poetry

Conrad