When first I saw you, I saw beauty
And I blinded my eyes, for fear that I should weep
When first I heard you, I heard sweetness
And I turned away, for fear of my weakness
I blinded my eyes, my face I turned away
I hardened my heart for fear of my ruin
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I adapted the lyrics to this song from a longer poem entitled "Renunciation" by Padraig Pearse. Pearse was an Irish poet, teacher and a passionate advocate of Irish independence. An eloquent orator, he became a spokesperson on behalf of Home Rule, and in May of 1916, he was executed by a British firing squad for his role in the Easter Rising.
And I blinded my eyes, for fear that I should weep
When first I heard you, I heard sweetness
And I turned away, for fear of my weakness
I blinded my eyes, my face I turned away
I hardened my heart for fear of my ruin
--------------------------------------------------------
I adapted the lyrics to this song from a longer poem entitled "Renunciation" by Padraig Pearse. Pearse was an Irish poet, teacher and a passionate advocate of Irish independence. An eloquent orator, he became a spokesperson on behalf of Home Rule, and in May of 1916, he was executed by a British firing squad for his role in the Easter Rising.