[From Manx Soc vol 21]

A LAMENT FOR THE ISLE OF MAN.

A Song written by Edward Forbes, F.R.S. 1833.

I

OH! lament for the days that are past and gone,
When the sun of glory bright,
On the fairest isle of the ocean shone
With freedom’s holy light;
When the golden ship, on a field of red,
Beamed forth on the flag of the free,
And the king of the green land bowed his head
To the king of the ocean sea.

II.

Would the Saxon dame to draw his brand
Were Orry with us now?
Would the Albion dare to lift his hand
Were the crown on King Olaf’s brow?
But in the sleep of death they lie;
Their glory has passed away;
And the children of their chivalry
A Saxon king obey.

III.

Oh! where was the blood of the kings of old,
When Atholl sold his throne?
When our chieftain bartered his rights for gold,
Was this like Orry’s son?
Our isle is still as bright, as fair,
Its sons are still as free,
But a stranger monarch reigneth there,
On the throne of the kings of the sea.