To our Irish Friends of October 17
I’ll listen well when you tell
through song and poetry
by Paul St John and William Yeats
about Irish History
You lament how Dublin’s changed
you remember what used to be
you cherish the past and what remains
of Auld Dublin City
But cities are simply stone and clay
It’s true today as then
the enduring legacy of Dublin City
lives on in its women and men
You remember well, those who fell
for Irish liberty
those brave hearts are not forgot
in Irish History
Yet the fight goes on, it hasn’t stopped
the truth is plain to see
good Irish men and women will never rest
when there’s Irish poverty
When I look at you, I do believe
I see revolutionaries
you are the ones, right here and now
who will make new Irish History!
I listened and I heard you tell
through song and poetry
that you will always fight to defend
human rights and dignity
Donald Lee,
President of the International Committee for October 17
Dublin, 14th May 2014
