Thomas Moore: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The harp that once through Tara's halls

Thomas Moore

“The harp that once through Tara's halls” as printed in Irish Melodies (1821).

Thomas Moore: Collected Lyrics Text 22 1821 · historical text
Public domainIrish songRomantic ballad
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Irish Melodies, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

The harp that once, through Tara's halls,

The soul of music shed,

Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls

As if that soul were fled.—

So sleeps the pride of former days,

So glory's thrill is o'er,

Arid hearts, that once beat high for praise,

Now feel that pulse no more!

Verse 2

No more to chiefs and ladies bright

The harp of Tara swells;

The chord, alone, that breaks at night,

Its tale of ruin tells.

Thus Freedom now so seldom wakes,

The only throb she gives,

Is when some heart indignant breaks,

To shew that still she lives!

Credits

Written by Thomas Moore

Words by Thomas Moore (died 1852). Historical text published in Irish Melodies (1821); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Irish Melodies (1821), “The harp that once through Tara's halls”

Every lyric in this collection was written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) and first published between 1808 and 1821 (music arranged by John Stevenson, 1761-1833); both contributors died more than 170 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide, and the edition carries a pre-1931 United States public-domain tag. The credited author died in 1852.

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 2026-10-24. 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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