Audio for the "We Happy Few" Poem
Fake Irish lilt makes everything sound better
New poem: "We Happy Few"
First stanza written in 2019; the rest written yesterday, and published
Here & Now on August 24th, 2023.
WHERE THE WEST BEGINS
(Best read in a Hiberno-English accent, like it’s a Dylan Thomas toast at the pub.)
For ones that fought and bravely died,
For lucky sons who still survive,
For those who fought and bravely tried
(All efforts are better than none at all),
For Agincourt and all Honor’s War,
Raise up your glass to HARRY’S HALL!
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
O, Mary give them comfort. O, Jesus,
King, redeem them, and Michael, O
Thou Angel, thou Saint in Battle,
Fend off the Devils without, within,
Preserve the lines, reserves so thin,
And give our soldiers the Holy Courage
To face Satan's scourges, and every Foe!
Oh, surely, Christ, surely, Lacey,
O Lord Most High, is afforded
No less glory than Thy good King Harry,
For both were princes brave & grave
Of Thy English Catholic Host.
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