Скачать или смотреть Fág an Bealach (1842) – Young Ireland Anthem by Charles Gavan Duffy | Full Historical Version

Fág an Bealach — meaning “Clear the Road” — was written in October 1842 by Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, founder of The Nation in Dublin.

Composed at a time when hope in Ireland was low, the song became a rallying cry of the Young Ireland movement. It was first published in The Nation newspaper, which ran from 1842 to 1848 and played a central role in shaping Irish political and cultural thought.

Duffy (1816–1903), born in Monaghan, was not only a nationalist writer and editor but later emigrated to Australia, where he became Premier of Victoria. His life bridged two hemispheres, but his early work in Dublin helped define a generation.

“Fág an Bealach” draws on an older Gaelic battle-cry, but the song itself is a call to unity, moral courage, and national awakening rather than mere conflict.

Lyrics

Fág an Bealach

“Hope no more for fatherland,
All its ranks are thinned or broken;”
Long a base and coward band
Recreant words like these have spoken:
But we preach a land awoken;
Fatherland is true and tried
As your fears are false and hollow;
Slaves and dastards, stand aside—
Knaves and traitors, Fág an Bealach!

Know, ye suffering brethren ours,
Might is strong, but Right is stronger:
Saxon wiles or Saxon powers
Can enslave our land no longer
Than your own dissensions wrong her;
Be ye one in might and mind—
Quit the mire where cravens wallow—
And your foes will flee like wind
From your fearless Fág an Bealach!

Thus the mighty multitude
Speak in accents hoarse with sorrow:
“We are fallen, but unsubdued;
Show us whence we hope may borrow,
And we’ll fight your fight to-morrow.
Be but cautious, true, and brave,
Where you lead us we will follow;
Hill and valley, rock and wave,
Soon shall hear our Fág an Bealach!”

Fling our banner to the wind,
Studded o’er with names of glory;
Worth, and wit, and might, and mind,
Poet young, and patriot hoary,
Long shall make it shine in story.
Close your ranks—the moment’s come—
NOW, ye men of Ireland! follow;
Friends of Freedom, charge them home—
Foes of Freedom, Fág an Bealach!

Credits

Text: Sir Charles Gavan Duffy (1842) — Public Domain
First published in The Nation, Dublin
Musical arrangement, performance & recording © 2026 Irish Longing
All rights reserved

May history be remembered with understanding, and carried forward with dignity.