“Lines Written on the Most Dreadful Fire That Broke Out in Chicago in America,” by Jeremiah Cronan
Jeremiah Cronan's "Lines Written on the Most Dreadful Fire That Broke Out in Chicago in America" appeared in a broadside published in Dublin. Unlike most of the fire literature, it expresses concern for Chicago's Irish population. The transcription here attempts to preserve the ragged typesetting of the original.
You simpathising Christians I pray yon'l listen unto me
While I relate that deadful state of th0usands in America
The fearful fire that has broke out it leaves us in greif & pain
For the loss of our dear Iri8h freinds alass will never see their home
again
Ou tho 7 of October we'll remember it now & for evermore
The dreadful fire that has broke out which causes's thousands fof to
deplore
The rageing flameS with pains & screams f0r which we'll wecpboth
night & day
Most dreadfui was their sufferings in Chi oca in America
It was a shocking sight to see those victims young & old
ln frightful flames & torturous pains enough to make your blood
ran cold
Molhers 8oas & Dauters in thousands they afoud did cry
For n srcy & forgiveuess unto the Lord that rules on high
When they were leaving Ireland & parting the h0me they land so
dea
Little did their relations think tht ehis sad news they were doom'd
to dear
Their neibours friends & parents who often times for them did pray
They are now consm'd in fire in Chfago all iu America
Those wh0 eecaped this dreadful doom they claim our pity too
To see tem runiug from the fire shouting alas what shall we do
The Methe s with their childreu it was heartrendiag for to hear
The screams ot them were terifying the hardest heart would shed a
tear
As they suffer d tbis mest au'nl death we hope their souls in heaveu
may dwell
The paina & torture they went through I'm sure no mortal toug e n
tell
Thei loveing friends iu Ireland will weep for them for many a day,
With brokeu hearts lamentiug their loes by fire in America
Now there hos been a aoble c ll through the world every where
T e raise us n subscriptioa 10r the surviveing sufferers there
And in every part let each feeling he rt come foreward with their mite
For to assist thoie poor distre s'd may God protect them day & night
So aow to end those feeling lines I hope you all will lend your aid
And freely extend your charity to those p0Dr suffering people God has
sav'd
And may you receive the reward that has been promised upon the
great a onuting day
And for those poor Ch ristiaus tbat lost their lives let young and old
now for them pray
