When beauty other trees forsakes, 
And drear the landscape is appearing, 
Arbutus by green Erin’s lakes 
Her cheerful head is blithely rearing. 
The eye is caught by foliage green, 
Which its wax-like bells are decking, 
And bright its “scarlet grain” is seen, 
Of Winter’s tempests little reoking. 
Rich in fruit we see her stand, 
And many a true heart prayer is sending 
That soon our verdant sister land 
May faith and hope as rich be blending. 
E’en now a glorious band we see 
Through error’s wilds securely treading; 
A heaven-directed company, 
Light, in moral darkness, spreading. 
And hope is budding; yea! and faith 
Shows its rich fruit in hall and shieling, 
And martyrs yield the willing breath, 
From many a blood-stained hearth appealing. 
