Touched by Fire

Sister
How long must I keep on waiting?
Sister
The night has come, the dawn is breaking
I thought you'd be my soul's desire
But now I find that you are touched by fire

Sister
How long will your rage go on?
Sister
Someday you'll need a shoulder to lean on
But I'll be just a memory of
Days when you and I were touched by fire

I left my husband, left my child
My grand house in Sligo
They said I did it for the fame, the fools
How could they ever know what it's like to waste your days
Skylarking in frivolity
While outside your velvet prison you hear the call of destiny

I met a man called Larkin, another Connolly
And I learned how to be myself, strong and free

The bosses wore poor Larkin down
The crown shot Connolly
But we fought on, my comrades, for economic liberty
When they went off to London I warned them it's no use
Never trust a rich man when he offers you a truce

The fools came back with promises and less than half a dream
And we replaced our masters
Oh, but they let us paint our post boxes green
Then the curtain closed behind us
Government and church in league
And brick by brick they dismantled the remains of Connolly's dream
Willy Yates said I dragged out lonely
Years conspiring with the ignorant
Let him keep his fancy words and rhymes
At least I never lost the faith

Sister
How long must I keep on waiting?
Sister
The night has come, the stars are aching
For you and me and all our naked dreams
Touched by fire

Sister
Sister
The stars are aching
For you and me and all our naked dreams
Touched by fire