Lines on The League of the Cross Branch Blantyre
which was established 1st Sunday of Feb 1889 on the St. Patricks Day following
Over five hundred members wore their badges
And went as a body to the [Altar] rails.
Air. The gems of old Ireland.
I’ll sing in praise
Of men I admire
Who have [laid] by there actions
Have gained a great name
No one would imagine
The wild Irish of Blantyre
[Could] as a body
From liquor abstain
Long [long] life to our clergy
Brave father [Aqustin]
He raised up the spirits of men
Which the country thought lost
He stamped in there hearts
Ner will be forgotten
That glorious order
The League of the Cross
Just look at those past years
And compare them with now
Then some of our members
Was [degraded] in life
Drink was their study
And have it they would
Although their children would want
Their homes and their wife
At mass time on Sunday
Just look the example
Was shown to their children
As to the [Sheebeens] would go
They made the bottle their prayer book
and the [sheeteen] their temple
O the home of a drunkard
How desolate and low
The scene now is changed
This dark cloud passed away
The spirit of temperance
Now amongest us once more
See how we can turn out
To mass every Sunday
With good health and a blessing
We ner gained before
In our homes and our families
Such an improvement
Has been gained by the league
And our good clergy here
Brave Dr. Hackett
Gives us all enjoyment
If we are blessed with this pastor
We have nothing to fear
On last Patricks morning
I [ur] will never forget it
How they wore the [bublians ruin]
on a ribbon of green
How they marched to the altar
They should be respected
How they honored St Patricks
No one before seen
I’ll finish my rhyme now
And ask your kind favour
To our beloved Pastor
Who strengthens our cause
And to the members
That has done their endeavor
I ask for [Hugh Fegan]
Three cheers and applause