Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise dár gcairde uilig ón gcoiste den Chumann Uaigheann na Laochra Gael.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our friends from the committee of the National Graves Association.

CHRISTMAS BELLS or A MOTHER’S REVERIE

The Christmas bells are ringing in the Chapel on the Hill.

As I sit beside the dying fire the night is growing chill.

The fields and hedgerows round our place are clad in mantle white,

My only boy in prison lies, and I’m alone to-night.

In childhood days his eyes lit up whene’er he heard me speak

Of how his granddad perished in the flames of Easter Week.

My own poor man, God rest his soul, died with the faithful few

Killed by their former comrades, way back in 22.

The time is near the midnight hour the holy night is still,

So I’ll go and pray to Mary in the Chapel on the hill.

She understands a mother’s love. Her sorrows were like mine.

Her little Boy gave up His Life to suffer for mankind.

And I’ll beg of her one favour from this lonely heart to-night

To ask her son, our Savour, in that land forever bright

To give solace to these brave lads from His own sweet Holy Hand

And He won’t refuse His Mother. Mary, Queen of all Ireland.

Padraig Widger