Big thank you from Lisburn.com

1st LISBURN CO. VOLUNTEERS

Sweet Lisburn, fairest village of the vale,
Thy beauties have and always shall prevail.
The loveliest town, of all the northern plain,
Whose worthy sons, did their rights maintain.

Who for sweet liberty, in days of yore,
And for their country still achieved much more;
'Gainst that bold rebel Sir Phelim O'Neill,
Who o'er thy loyal sons thought to prevail.

Who stemmed the torrent of his wicked rage
And many in most dreadful battle slew.

Now should proud France oppose, or timid Spain,
Fair Lisburn's sons, would freely fight again.
Her Volunteers are all both firm and true,
And gallant men as ever triggers drew.

They would stand forth, maintain our wholesome laws,
And speak, and act, and bleed in Paddy's cause.
Still let the task be yours with active zeal,
To guard the honours of your country's weal;

Her rights restore, her sinking laws reclaim,
And 'wake in every breast the patriot flames.
Our spirits cheer'd, by hopes enlivening ray.
That shortly we shall see the glorious day,

When all oppressive laws shall be repealed,
And national freedom, be entailed;
Fair Lisburn's sons shall then in concert sing,
With grateful hearts `long live great George our King'.

Lisburn, March 6, 1780. A LISBURN VOLUNTEER.

Lisburn 1st company of volunteers - this appeared in the Lisburn Standard April 2nd 1892. Under the poem in the Standard it reads... The above poem has been sent to us by Mr Daniel Teer, late teacher of the Downshire Endowed School, Dundrum, who came across it the other day. We publish it as a curiosity, and it will doubtless interest some of our readers.