"THE IRISH GUARDS"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 225, 11 June 1918, Page 3

"THE IRISH GUARDS"

'NEW POEM BY KIPLING. Queen Alexandra, accompanied by Princess Victoria, was present at the. Empire matinee, organised by Lady Paget in aid of the Irish Guards Wnr Fund, says the London "Morning Post." The chief novelty was the recital by Henry Ainley of the following poem, entitled "The Irish Guards, specially written for the occasion by Rudyard Kipling:— We'ro not so old in the Army List, But we're not bo young at. our trade, For we had' the honour at Fontenoy Of meeting the Guards Brigade. 'Twos Lnllv, Dillon, Bulkeloy, Clare, ~ And Lee that led na then, And after'a hundred and seventyyoars Wo'ro fighting for France again! Old t'nvs! The wild geeso are flighting Hend" to the storm as they faced it before! For where there are Irish theres bound io bo fighting, tl And when there's no fighting, it's Ireland no more! ' Ireland no more! The fashion's for khaki now, But once through France we wenl', Full-dressed in scarlet Army cloth— Tho English—left at Ghent. They're fighting on our side to-day, But boforo they changed their clothes, The half of Europe knew our fame, • As nil of Ireland knows! Old days! The wild geese are flying Head'to the storm as they faced it before, For where there are Irish there's memory undying, • And when wo forget, it's Ireland no more! Ireland no more! From Barry Wood to Gauzeaiiconrt, From Boyne to Pilkem Ridge, The ancient days come back no more Than water under the bridge, But tho bridge it stands and the water runs As red as yesterday, And the Irish move to the sound of the guns Like'salmon to the sea! Old days! The wild geese are ranging Head to the storm as they faced it before, For where there are Irish hearts are unchangiug, Alid when they are changed it is Ireland no more!' Ireland no more! i We're not so old in the Army List, j But we're not so new in the ring, For we carried our packs with Marshal | Suxe Whei Louis was cur King. But Douglas Haig's our marshal now, And wo're King George's men, And after one hundred and seventy years We're fighting for Fiance again! ' Ah, France! And did we stand by you I When life was made splendid with j gifts and rewards? j Ah, France! And will we deny you I 111 the hour of your agony, -Motlier of Swords? I Old davs! The wild geese are flighting j Head'to the storm as they faced :t | before, , i For where there are Irish there s ' loving and fighting, And when we stop either, it's Ireland no more! . Ireland no more!