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  3. Stonetown, Louth

School: Stonetown, Louth (roll number 16431)

Location:
Stonetown Lower, Co. Louth
Teacher:
P. Ó Dubháin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0668, Page 286

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0668, Page 286

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  3. XML “Song of the Birch”

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  1. Song of the Birch

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    Teach - teach - teach,
    Poor weight of the toiling brain
    Teach - teach - teach,
    Drag out life's weary chain
    Sum and lesson and task
    Task and lesson and sum,
    With a ceaseless round of deadening sound,
    While the cheerless hours come.

    Teach - teach - teach,
    While your's is a prisoner's doom,
    Your thoughts and feelings pent up aye
    In a dusty, dismal room.
    The glorious light of the sun
    And the music of singing birds,
    No gladness bring on Hope's bright wing,
    Nor whisper soothing words.

    Teach - teach - teach,
    Consume the midnight oil
    The lamp of knowledge must still be fed
    What matter the cost and toil
    Through Learning's vast domain,
    Like a struggling pilgrim's roam,
    And the hard-wrought mind can never find
    A peaceful rest at home.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Rielly
    Gender
    Male
    Occupation
    Principal
    Address
    Nobber, Co. Meath