The management and staff of the Irish People wish all our readers a very happy Easter. Easter in Ireland has been celebrated since the arrival of Christianity in the 5th century and is recognised as the most important and sacred time in the Christian calendar. Before that Rites of Spring were celebrated in Ireland for millennia.
Since the Easter Rising of 1916 Easter has taken on a most significant place in the hearts and souls of every true Irish man and woman because that is when the inextinguishable flame of freedom was ignited in the psyche of the Irish Nation.
On Easter Monday 1916, some 300 Irish men and women men took on the might of the largest and most powerful empire in the world and sowed the seeds of its destruction.
The heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives in that sacred endeavour will forever have a special place of honour in every true Irish heart and despite all the efforts of revisionist historians and globalists politicians and their fellow travellers it cannot be wrested from Irish hearts.
This year there is a great resurgence of commemorative activity taking place throughout the country in honour of the heroes of 1916 and those of the War of Independence and the British inspired bloody Civil War. Despite the onslaught of globalist propaganda and the false version of history now being taught in our schools the people’s hearts remain true.
There is a whole new awakening taking place, a new Spring flowering of Nationalism is blossoming forth like that which led to 1916. We in the ‘Irish People’ invite all our readers to take part with pride in the reawakening by commemorating with gratitude the memories of the selfless heroes who gave their all for us. This Easter wear an Easter Lily and wear it with pride as a symbol of all we hold sacred as a Nation. Don’t just wear it but inspire others by singing the expression of its glory.
I Will Wear an Easter Lilly
1
Just past the hour of noon under the springtime sun
Pádraig Pearse stepping forward proclaimed Ireland free
On that fine Easter Monday with his gallant comrades
The tricolour proudly flying high claiming Irelands destiny
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of who died to make Ireland free.
2
The bravest and finest came to answered Irelands calling
Dublin has risen. Our tri-colour flying in the breeze
Proudly over the GPO and then began the fighting
And the call of the springtime is to make Ireland free
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of who died to make Ireland free.
3
The battle was raging. Soon Dublin was burning
The roar of the guns, men fighting fierce for liberty
Our heroes fought bravely Irelands freedom proclaiming
Ireland finest had risen for her right to be free
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour of those who died to make Ireland free.
4
When the fighting was ended, our volunteers were marched away
To darkest Kilmainham, when all seemed to be lost
An eerie silent followed in what seemed like Irelands darkest day
Those brave men had fought for Ireland regardless of the cost.
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s to honour all of those who died to make Ireland free.
5
Just poets and dreamers, dismissed and sneered at with derision
England in her fury the leader’s they took out and shot
The tide soon was turning they became heroes with great vision
Their martyrdom awakened the whole nation with a shock
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour all of those who died to make Ireland free
6
The soul of our nation rising proudly from our heroes’ fate
On each Easter Monday their brave actions we recall
Their memory for ever we will proudly commemorate
The Tricolour flying high for those who gave of their all
Chorus
Proudly over my heart I will wear the Easter Lilly
Each Easter in memory of those who died for liberty
And if anybody’s asking me ‘Why am I wearing it?’
It’s all to honour of those who died to make Ireland free.
© Tomas O’Riain 2021
In closing I include the Irish Republican Brotherhoods 2024 Easter Message.