Saturday, March 24, 2018
Do Not Forsake Your Native Land
George Campbell Hay (1915-1984), "Na Trèig do Thalamh Dùthchais," in his Collected Poems and Songs, ed. Michael Byrne (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2003), p. 235 (English translation only):
Newer› ‹Older
Do not forsake your native land
for lands or for wealth,
for honour or for harlotry.
For praise or for prayers
do not forsake your native land,
for promise or for bargain.
For law, for sword, for defiance
do not forsake your native land,
for trampling or for wounding,
for fear or for threatening.
For losses, for weariness, for cares,
for love, for peace, for good wishes,
for kindly regard, for tranquil skies
do not forsake your native land.
For the imperious wish of position or courts,
though esteem and fame should be your lot,
do not forsake your native land.
Do not forsake your native land
for lands or for wealth,
for honour or for harlotry.
