To Ireland in the Coming Times

Song Meaning

The narrator asserts a deep connection to Ireland and its cultural heritage, even if their contribution is through song and story rather than direct action. They position themselves as a "brother of a company" who "sang, to sweeten Ireland's wrong," emphasizing a shared purpose. This solidarity isn't diminished by the "red-rose-bordered hem" of a figure whose history predates even divine creation, suggesting a profound, almost mythic, lineage that the narrator still follows. The core tension lies between the narrator's personal creative output and their desire to be recognized as part of a larger, enduring Irish tradition. They argue that their "rhymes more than their rhyming tell / Of things discovered in the deep," hinting at a profound, almost mystical wellspring of inspiration. This contrasts with the "elemental creatures" and "unmeasured mind" that seem to represent a wilder, less structured existence, yet the narrator finds a way to bridge these realms through "measured ways." A striking image is the "red-rose-bordered hem" that "trails all about the written page" and is pursued by the narrator and "them" throughout their journey. This recurring motif seems to represent an idealized, perhaps historical or spiritual, feminine presence connected to Ireland's ancient past. The narrator's commitment is to follow this hem, even as they acknowledge the ephemeral nature of life, where "our singing and our love / Is but the winking of an eye." Ultimately, the lyrics convey a powerful sense of legacy and artistic devotion. The narrator casts their "heart into my rhymes" so that future generations, in "the dim coming times," can understand the depth of their commitment. It's a testament to how art can preserve passion and connect the present to a timeless, almost sacred, Irish spirit, even in the face of inevitable mortality.