Frederick William Faber: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Faith of our Fathers (for Ireland)

Frederick William Faber

“Faith of our Fathers (for Ireland)” as printed in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860).

Frederick William Faber: Collected Lyrics Text 2 1860 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Catholic Hymns (1860), a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Faith of our Fathers.

(For Ireland.)

Verse 2

Faith of our fathers! living still,

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

Oh, Ireland's hearts beat high with joy

Whene'er we hear that glorious word.

Verse 3

Faith of our fathers! holy Faith!

We will be true to thee till death!

Verse 4

Our fathers chain'd in prisons dark,

Were still in heart and conscience free;

How sweet would be their children's fate,

If they like them could die for thee!

Faith of our Fathers, &c.

Verse 5

Faith of our Fathers! Mary's prayers

Shall keep our country fast to thee;

And through the truth that comes from God,

Oh, we shall prosper and be free.

Faith of our Fathers! &c.

Verse 6

Faith of our Fathers! we will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife;

And preach thee too as love knows how,

By kindly words and virtuous life

Faith of our Fathers! &c.

Verse 7

Faith of our Fathers! guile and force

To do thee bitter wrong unite;

But Erin's saints shall fight for us,

And keep undimm'd thy blessed light.

Faith of our Fathers! &c.

Credits

Written by Frederick William Faber

Words by Frederick William Faber. Historical text published in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860), “Faith of our Fathers (for Ireland)”

The 1860 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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