August 10, 1850: “The Exile’s Wish”, by anon, published in the The Weekly Wisconsin Lee.
Dedicated, without permission, to the officers and men of the Milwaukee City Guard, on seeing them prepared to celebrate the 4th of July.
Sons of Erin! Thoughts of sadness
Forced themselves upon my mind,
As I saw you, march in gladness,
Proud and noble ’mong your kind;
Then my country’s wrongs recalled—
All her trials, all her woes.
The long, long years she’s been enthralled,
Trampled on by tyrant foes.
Sons of Erin! One thought of joy
Warmed my torn and grieving heart—
One thought that had no sad alloy,
As I saw you act your part.
Then methought of days to come—
Days of vengeance, dark and deep,
When our own old Island home
Would forever cease to weep.
God of Justice! then I asked,
To us exiles grant one boon—
One day’s vengeance, wild, unmasked—
God of Mercy, send it soon!
Then our wrongs we will requite,
Then the world will own us brave;
As with the “sunburst” in the fight,
We live, or find a glorious grave.