Contribution of Ireland to the Great War

[Canadawwi]

I just found this little poem that was printed in the Regina (Saskatchewan) Leader On October 2nd, 1916. Perhaps you have already seen it, but I thought I should retype it since there have been many discussions about the military contributions of the Irish soldiers to the war.

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Published in the Regina Leader, Oct. 2, 1916

PADDY

I went into the talkin' shop to see about the Bill;

The Premier 'e ups and says: "We're waiting'...waitin' still!"

The Tories grinned, and Balfour strung our gamble Haman-high,

I outs into the street again, and to meself sez I:---

O it's Paddy this, and Paddy that, an "A cattle-drivin' crew!"

But 'twas "Murphy o' the Munsters!" when the trump of battle blew.

When the wind of battle blew, my boys, when the blast of battle blew,

It was Burke and Shea and Kelly when we marched to Waterloo.

Yes! Sneerin' round at Irishmen, and Irish speech and ways

Is cheaper--much--than snatchin' guns from battles' red amaze;

And when the damned Death's-head Dragoons roll up the ruddy tide

The Times won't spare a Smith to tell how Dan O'Connell died.

For it's Paddy this, and Paddy that, and "the Fifth'll prate and prance!"

But it's "Corks and Inniskillings--Front! when hell is loose in France.

When Clare and Kerry take the call that crowns the shrapnel dance,

O, it's "Find the Dublin Fusiliers!" when hell is loose in France.

We ain't no saints or scholars much, but fightin' men and clean,

We've paid the price, and three times thrice, for "Wearing o' the Green."

We held our hand out frank and fair, and half-forgot Parnell,

For Ireland's hope, and England's too---it's yours to save or sell!

For it's Paddy this, and Paddy that,

"Who'll stop the Uhlan blade?"

But Tommy Fitz from Malahide, and Monaghan's McGlade,

When the ranks are set for judgment, lads, and the roses droop and fade,

It's "Ireland in the firin' line!" when the price of God is paid.

(By Lieut. T. M. Kettle, a member of the British House of Commons who gave his life at Guinchy).

[swizz]

I hadn't seen this poem before - thanks for posting it. I rather like it!

Swizz

[Tony Lund]

Another one credited to Tom Kettle. I believe this is a poem to his daughter written four days before he died.

And Oh! They’ll give you rhyme

And reason: some will call the thing sublime,

And some decry it in a knowing tone.

So here, while the mad guns curse overhead,

And tired men sigh with mud for couch and floor,

Know that we fools, now with the foolish dead,

Died not for flag, nor King, nor Emperor,

But for a dream, born in a herdsman’s shed,

And for the secret Scripture of the poor.

Tom Kettle, killed in action, 9th September 1916.

Tony.

Tom Kettle.

[Desmond7]

While I appreciate the 'crack' and regional pride of the first, the second will always be one of the most poignant and, in my humble opinion, one of the most 'human' of the WW1 poems.

Des

[BatterySergeantMajor]

While I appreciate the 'crack' and regional pride of the first, the second will always be one of the most poignant and, in my humble opinion, one of the most 'human' of the WW1 poems.

Des

I fully agree, this one stands forever.

Erwin

[wig]

I had not seen either of those before. Thank you, they both make life a little richer.

I think there is a small bust of Tom Kettle in Stephen's Green, Dublin.

wig

[wig]

NAME

KETTLE, TOM

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code: IE UCDA LA34

Title: Papers of Tom Kettle (1880–1916)

Dates: 1904–50

Level of description: Fonds

Extent: 4 boxes

CONTEXT

Biographical History

Born in north County Dublin and educated at North Richmond Street Christian Brothers, Clongowes Wood and UCD, he was the son of Andrew Kettle, a leading Land League activist. Called to the bar in 1905, elected Nationalist MP for East Tyrone in 1906, he resigned his seat in 1910 having been appointed to the Professorship of National Economics in UCD the previous year. He joined the Irish Volunteers on their formation in 1913 and was in Belgium to procure arms when the First World War broke out. He took a commission in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was dismayed by the Easter Rising and the subsequent executions, volunteered for active service and was killed at Givenchy on the Somme in September 1916.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

Scope and Content

Papers principally of Tom Kettle but containing some papers of his wife, Mary Sheehy Kettle.

Personal and political correspondence (1904–18). Correspondence, articles, news reports, notes and memorabilia from his American tour (1906–7). Some material relating to his career as MP for East Tyrone (1906–10) and as Professor of National Economics at University College Dublin (1909–16) including correspondence, notes, essays, texts of lectures and articles on economic subjects. Drafts and final versions of poems (1912–16) and correspondence and lectures on literary subjects (1908–13).

Drafts of articles on the Great War, material concerning his military service (1914–16) and letters of condolence (1916–17).

Personal correspondence of Mary Sheehy Kettle (1907–38) including correspondence concerning her husband’s published work (1917–50). Material concerning her involvement with the Irish Convention (1917) and her involvement with other issues and organisations (1918–50) including the Irish Nationalist Veterans’ Association (1926–30). Family papers and memorabilia (1907–32).

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE

Access: Available by appointment to holders of a UCDA reader's ticket.

Language: English

Finding aid: Descriptive list

[Canadawwi]

Thank you for posting the additional biographical information about Mr. Kettle. I did not know anything at all about him, so it is very interesting.

As far as my choice of poem - that was the first I have ever seen, so I have not formulated an opinion as to my favourite. The additional poem posted here was very moving.