Republican Guns 


And I would dream of how proud they felt back in "16" 
Still remember the fright when the UDA came in the middle of the night 
Right then I knew that I was destined to throw every brick that I threw 

CHORUS 
If you listen you can hear....the sound of the drums 
But as long as they're here...you'll hear Republican Guns 

How many years, must the English bathe in Irish tears 
How many must die, as the coffins pass the mothers cry 
The day will come, when the children never hear the sound of a drum 
The day will come, when the children never fear the sound of a gun 

CHORUS 

Was it your son, among the strikers who died back in "81" 
And how would you feel, if it was your father that the soldiers had killed 
If it was, you would gladly give your life to the cause 
With your last breath you'd shout 
Peace will never come until the English are out!

CHORUS 

   RIFLES OF THE IRA, THE

 

   In nineteen hundred and sixteen
   The forces of the crown,
   For to take Orange, White, and Green
   Bombarded Dublin Town
   But in '21, Britannia's sons
   Were forced earn their pay, when
   The black and tans, like lightening ran
   From the Rifles of the IRA!

   They burned their way through Munster,
   Then laid Leinster on the rack.
   Through Connaught, and through Ulster
   Marched the men in brown and black.
   They shot down wives and children
   In their own heroic way, but
   The black and tans, like lightening ran
   From the Rifles of the IRA!

   They hanged young Kevin Barry high
   Just a lad of eighteen years
   Cork City's flames lit up in the sky
   But our brave lads new no fear
   The Cork brigade with hand-grenades
   In ambush wait and lay, and
   The black and tans, like lightening ran
   From the Rifles of the IRA!

   The tans were got, taken out and shot
   By a brave and valiant few
   Sean Treacy, Dinny Lacey, 
   And Tom Barry's gallant crew
   Though we're not free yet, 
   We won't forget, 
   Until our dying day, how
   The black and tans, like lightening ran
   From the Rifles of the IRA!

 ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN, THE

 

In the merry month of May from my home I started 
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken-hearted 
Saluted Father dear, kissed my darlin' Mother 
Drank a pint of beer my grief and tears to smother 
Then off to reap the corn, and leave where I was born 
I cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghost and goblin, 
In a bran'new pair of brogues I rattled o'er the bogs 
And frightened all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin, 

cho: One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her 
Down the rocky roaad, and all the ways to Dublin 
Whack fol-lol-de-ra. 

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary, 
Started by daylight next morning light and airy, 
Took a drop of the pure, to keep my heart from sinking, 
That's an frishman's cure, whene'er he's on for drinking, 
To see the lasses smile, laughing all the while, 
At my curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubbling, 
They ax'd if I was hired, the wages I required, 
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin. 

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity, 
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city, 
Then I took a stroll out among the quality, 
My bundle it was stole in a neat locality; 
Something crossed my mind, then I looked behind, 
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin', 
Enquiring for the rogue, they said my Connaught brogue 
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin. 

From there I got away my spirits never failing, 
Landed on the quay as the ship was sailing, 
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he, 
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy 
Down among the pigs, I played some funny rigs 
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin' 
When off to Holyhead I wished myself was dead, 
Or better far, instead, on the rocky road to Dublin. 

The bovs of Liverpool, when we safely landed, 
Called myself a fool, I could no longer stand it; 
Blood began to boil, temper I was losin' 
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusin' 
"Hurrah my soul!" sez I, my shillelagh I let fly, 
Some Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobble in, 
Then with a loud Hurrah, they joined in the affray, 
We quickly cleared the way, for the rocky road to Dublin. 

ROCKS OF BAWN, THE 

Come all ye loyal heroes and listen on to me. 
Don't hire with any farmer till you know what your work will be 
You will rise up early in the morning from the clear day light till the dawn 
and you never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn. 

My shoes they are worn and my stockings they are thin 
My heart is always trembling now for fear they might give in 
My heart is always trembling now from clear daylight till the dawn 
And I never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn. 

Rise up, gallant Sweeney, and get your horses hay 
And give them a good feed of oats before they start away 
Don't feed them on soft turnip sprigs that grow on your green lawn 
Or they never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn. 

My curse upon you, Sweeney boy, you have me nearly robbed 
You're sitting by the fireside now, your feet upon the hob 
You're sitting by the fireside now, from clear daylight till dawn 
And you never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn 

I wish the Sergeant-Major would send for me in time 
And place me in some regiment all in my youth and prime 
I'd fight for Ireland's glory now, from the clear daylight till dawn 
Before I would return again to plough the Rocks of Bawn. 

The Roads Of Kildare 

Johnny was born in a mansion, somewhere in the County of Clare
Rosie was reared by the roadside, somewhere in County Kildare
Destiny brought them together, on the road to Killorglin one day
In her bright pretty shawl she was singing, 
And she stole his young heart away
    And she said.....

Chorus
Meet me tonight at the camp-fire, come with me over the hill
Let us be married to-morrow, please let me whisper I will
What if the neighbours are talking
Who cares if your friends stop and stare
You'll be proud to be married to Rosie
Who was reared on the road to Kildare

Think of the parents that reared you, think of the family name
How could you marry a Gypsy? Oh what a terrible shame
Parents and friends stop your pleading, don't worry about my affair
For I've fallen in love with a Gypsy
Who was reared on the road to Kildare
And she said....

Chorus

Johnny came down from his mansion
Just as the sun was going down
Turning his back on his kin-folk, likewise on his own native town
Facing the roads of old Ireland, with the gypsy he loved so sincere
As he came to the light of the camp-fire
These are the words he could hear
And she said....

Chorus

Rock on Rockall

Oh the empire is finished no foreign lands to seize 
So the greedy eyes of England are looking towards the seas 
Two hundred miles from Donegal, there's a place that's called Rockall 
And the groping hands of Whitehall are grabbing at its walls 

Oh rock on Rockall, you'll never fall to Britain's greedy hands 
Or you'll meet the same resistance that you did in many lands 
May the seagulls rise and pluck your eyes and the water crush your shell, 
And the natural gas will burn your ass and blow you all to hell. 

This rock is part of Ireland, for it' s written in folklore 
That Fionn MacCumhaill took a sod of grass and he threw it to the fore, 
Then he tossed a pebble across the sea, where ever it did fall, 
For the sod became the Isle of Man and the pebble's called Rockall. 

Now the seas will not be silent, while Britannia grabs the waves 
And remember that the Irish will no longer be your slaves, 
And remember that Britannia, well, - she rules the waves no more 
So keep your hands off Rockall - it's Irish to the core.

RODDY McCORLEY 

His great-coat and his sash of green were clean and stainless then 
A banner flashed beneath the sun, unto the marching men 
His coat has many a rent this noon, his sash is torn away 
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today 

Oh see the host of fleet foot men who sped with faces wan 
From farmstead and from fisher's cot along the banks of Bann 
They come with vengeance in their eyes too late too late are they 
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today 

When last he stepped up that street , his shining pike in hand 
Behind him marched a grim array, a stalwart and earnest band 
For Antrim town! For Antrim Town! He led them to the fray 
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today 

Up the narrow streets he steps, smiling proud and young 
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung 
There was never a tear in his blue eyes, both sad and bright are they 
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today 

Oh Ireland, mother Ireland, you love them still the best 
Those fearless men who fighting fall upon your hapless breast 
There was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray 
Then he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today 

Because he loved his Motherland, because he loved the green 
He goes to meet a martyr's fate with proud and joyous gleam 
True to the last true to the last he treads the upward way 
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today 

 

THE ROLL OF HONOUR 

Read the roll of honour for Ireland's bravest men 
We must be united in memory of the ten 
England you're a monster, don't think that you have won 
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons 

In those dreary H-Block cages ten brave young Irishmen lay 
Hungering for justice while their young lives ebbed away 
For their rights as Irish soldiers and to free their native land 
They stood beside their leader the gallant Bobby Sands 

Now they mourn Hughes in Bellaghy, Ray McCreish in Armagh's hill 
In those narrow streets of Derry they miss O'Hara still, 
They so proudly gave their young lives to break Britannia's hold 
Their names shall be remembered as history unfolds 

Chorus 

Through the war torn streets of Ulster the black flags did sadly wave 
To salute ten Irish martyrs, the bravest of the brave 
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty 
They gave their lives for freedom with Thomas McElwee 

Michael Devine from Derry you were the last to die 
With your nine brave companions, with the martyred dead you lie 
Your souls cry out "Remember, our deaths are not in vain 
Fight on and make our homeland a nation once again" 

Chorus 

ROGER CASEMENT 

A lonely wave is breaking on the rocky Antrim shore 
And the sighing winds are a keening oe'r the water's solemn roar 
The seabirds sweep to Heaven with a loud and piercing wail 
'Tis the passing knell of one who dies in a lonely English jail 

Along the sweltering Congo swamps, a ghastly silence falls 
And the jungle trees hang lifeless like a thousand funeral palls 
And dark-skinned men a heavy with a fear they cannot name 
While their gentle friend is lead to death with mockery and shame 

Ah, lordly Roger Casement you gave all a man could give 
that Justice be unmocked at and that liberty might live 
But you hurt the high and mighty ones in pocket and in pride 
And that is why they hated you and that is why you died 

They stripped you of your honours and they hounded you to death 
And their blood lust was not sated when you gasped your dying breath 
They tried to foul your memory as they fouled your corpse with lime 
But God is not an Englishman and truth will tell with time 

Ah, gentle Roger Casement you have blessed us in your death 
They have tried to blot you from our minds, but we shall not forget 
Your cause will be triumphant and when slavery's night is oe'r 
Your bones shall rest, your last request, on your rocky native shore 

RARE OUL' TIMES, THE

Based on songs and stories, heroes of renown
Are the passing tales and glories, that once was Dublin town
The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting children's rhymes
That once was Dublin city in the rare old times

Chorus:
Ring a-ring a-Rosie, as the light declines
I remember Dublin city in the rare oul' times

My name it is Sean Dempsey, as Dublin as can be
Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased to be
By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy
Like my house that fell to progress, my trade's a memory
And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please
A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel Liberties
I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as coal
When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my soul

The years have made me bitter, tha gargle dims my brain
'cause Dublin keeps on changing, and nothing seems the same
The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since pulled down
As the great unyielding concrete, makes a city of my town
Fare thee fell sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay
And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along the Quay
My mind's too full of memories, too old to hear new chimes
I'm part of what was Dublin, in the rare old times

Chorus

RED IS THE ROSE

Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass
Come over the hills to your darling
You choose the rose, love, and I'll make the vow
And I'll be your true love forever

Chorus:
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
Fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any

'Twas down by Killarney's green woods that we strayed
When the moon and the stars they were shining
The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair
And she swore she'd be my love forever

Chorus

It's not for the parting that my sister pains
It's not for the grief of my mother
'Tis all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass
That my heart is breaking forever

Chorus

REILLY'S DAUGHTER (1)

As I was sitting by the fire
Eating spuds and drinking porter
Suddenly a thought came into my mind
I'd like to marry old Reilly's daughter

Chorus:
Giddy i-ae Giddy i-ae
Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae (bang bang bang)
Play it on your old bass drum

Reilly played on the big bass drum
Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter
Reilly had a bright red glittering eye
And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter

Chorus

Her hair was black and her eyes were blue
The colonel and the major and the captain sought her
The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy too
But they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter

Chorus

I got me a ring and a parson too
Got me a scratch in a married quarter
Settled me down to a peaceful life
Happy as a king with Reilly's daughter

Chorus

Suddenly a footstep on the stairs
Who should it be but Reilly out for slaughter
With two pistols in his hands
Looking for the man who had married his daughter

Chorus

I caught old Reilly by the hair
Rammed his head in a pail of water
Fired his pistols into the air
A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter

Chorus

REILLY'S DAUGHTER (2)

As I was sitting by the fire
Talking to O'Reilly's daughter
Suddenly a thought came into my head
I'd like to marry O'Reilly's daughter

Chorus:
Giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay
For the one eyed Reilly Giddy-i-ay (*clap *clap *clap)
Bang it on yer oul' bass drum

Reilly played on the big bass drum
Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter
Reilly had a bright red glittering eye
And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter

Her hair was black and her eyes were blue
The colonel & the major & the captain sought her
The sergeant & the private & the drummer boy too
But they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter

I got me a ring & parson too
Got me a scratch in a married quarter
Settled me down to a peaceful life
Happy as a king with Reilly's daughter

Suddenly a foot step on the stair
Who whould it be but Reilly out for slaughter
With two pistols in his hands
Looking for the man who had married his daughter

I caught Old Reilly by the hair
Rammed his head in a pail of water
Fired his pistols in the air
A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter

RELUCTANT PATRIOT, THE

 

"Oh Paddy dear, and did hear the awful things they say?
Princess Margret and Lord Snowden, they have joined the IRA
They are drilling in the mountains to the sounds of fife and drum
Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun!"
While young Maggie fires the gun, while young Maggie fires the gun
Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun

When the news reached Mother England filled the good queen with delight
She reared upon Prince Phillip in the middle of the night
Said she, "Get you your Rolls-Royce out, and get you ready quick and soon
For we must reach dear ould Ireland by the rising of the moon!"
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For we must reach dear ould Ireland by the rising of the moon

When the news reached Dublin Castle De Valera danced for joy
"Ah said he, "That Jones De camera, he's a decent Irish boy
And the dear one Princess Margret, that Ireland's sweet colleen
I knew her uncle very well, he came from Skibbereen"
He came from Skibbereen, he came from Skibbereen
I knew her uncle very well, he came from Skibbereen

"Oh then Paddy dear and did you hear there's trouble in the land
For the Queen and De Valera are walking hand in hand
And the most disgraceful thing me boys, that you have ever seen
Was Prince Pillip playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green
On an ass in Stephen's Green, on an ass in Stephen's Green
Prince Phillip's playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green

Rule Britannia!
The leader of our gang!
Five Chinese crackers up your bum
Go bang bang bang bang bang!

RISING OF THE MOON, THE

 

"O then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so"
"Hush, me Bouchall, hush and listen," and his cheeks were all aglow
I bear orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together at the risin' of the moon

Chorus:
At the rising of the moon, oh the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon

"O then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gath'rin' is to be"
In the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me
One more word for signal token, whistle up the marchin' tune
With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon"

Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through that night
Many a manly heart was throbbing for the blessed warning light
Murmurs passed along the valleys, like the banshee's lonely croon
And a thousand blades were flashing at the rising of the moon

There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men were seen
Far above the shining weapons hung their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor, forward, strike the marching tune
And hurrah, my boys, for freedom, tis the rising of the moon

Well, they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ninety eight
Yes, thank God, e'en still are beating hearts in manhood's burning noon
Who would follow in their footsteps at the rising of the moon

RODDY McCORLEY
(Ethna Carberry)

Oh, see the fleet-foot hosts of men who speed with faces wan
From farmstead and from thresher's cot along the banks of the Bann
They come with vengeance in their eyes too late, too late are they
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

Up the narrow streets he stepped smiling proud and young
About the hemp rope around his neck his golden ringlets clung
Oh, there is never a tear in his blue eyes both sad and bright are they
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

When he last stepped up that street his shining pike in hand
Behind him marched in grim array a stalwart earnest band
For Antrim town, for Antrim town, he led them to the fray
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

There is never a one of all your dead, more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his fate on the Bridge of Tomb today
True to the last! True to the last! He treads the upward way
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

RÓISIN DUBH

A Róisín, ná bíodh brón ort ná chás anois
tá do phárdún ó'n Róimh agus ó'n bPápa agat
tá na bráithre ag teacht thar
sáile agus ag tríall thar muir
'S ni ceilfear fíon Spáinneach ar mo Róisín Dubh

Tá grá agam i mo lár dhuit le blíain anois
grá cráite, grá cásmhar, grá ciapaithe
grá a d'fhág mé gan sláinte, gan rían, gan ruith
is go bráth, bráth, gan aon fháil a
leagadh ar mo Róisín Dubh

Beidh an Éirne ina tuilte dearga 's an spéir 'na fuil
beidh an saol ina choghadh craorach is réadfar chnoic
beidh gach gleann sléibhe ar fuid Éireann
agus móinte ar crith, la eigin
sula n-eagfaidh mo Róisín Dubh

ROSE OF MOONCOIN, THE

How sweet is to roam by the sunny Shure stream
And hear the doves coo 'neath the morning sunbeam
Where the thrush and the robin their sweet notes entwine
On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin

Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so sweet sounds the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin

Oh Molly, dear Molly, it breaks my fond heart
To know that we two forever must part
I'll think of you Molly while sun and moon shine
On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin

Then here's to the Shure with its valley so fair
As oftimes we wandered in the cool morning air
Where the roses are blooming and lilies entwine
On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin

Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along
By your waters so sweet sounds the lark's merry song
On your green banks I wander where first I did join
With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin

ROSE OF TRALEE, THE

The pale moon was rising above the green mountain
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea
When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain
That stands in beautiful vale of Tralee
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer
Yet, 'twas not her beauty alone that won me
Oh no! 'Twas the the truth in her eye ever beaming
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee

The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading
And Mary all smiling was listening to me
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee
Though lovely and fair as the rose of the summer
Yet, 'twas not her beauty alone that won me
Oh no! 'Twas the the truth in her eye ever beaming
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee

ROSIN THE BEAU

I've traveled all over this world
And now to another I go
And I know that good quarters are waiting
To welcome old Rosin the Beau
To welcome old Rosin the Beau
To welcome old Rosin the Beau
And I know that good quarters are waiting
To welcome old Rosin the Beau

When I'm dead and laid out on the counter
A voice you will hear from below
Saying "Send down a hogshead of whiskey
To drink with old Rosin the Beau
To drink with old Rosin the Beau
To drink with old Rosin the Beau
Saying "Send down a hogshead of whiskey
To drink with old Rosin the Beau"

Then get a half dozen stout fellows
And stack them all up in a row
Let them drink out of half gallon bottles
To the memory of Rosin the Beau
To the memory of Rosin the Beau
To the memory of Rosin the Beau
Let them drink out of half gallon bottles
To the memory of Rosin the Beau

Then get this half dozen stout fellows
And let them all stagger and go
And dig a great hole in the meadow
And in it put Rosin the Beau
And in it put Rosin the Beau
And in it put Rosin the Beau
And dig a great hole in the meadow
And in it put Rosin the Beau

Then get ye a couple of bottles
Put one at me head and me toe
With a diamond ring scratch upon them
The name of old Rosin the Beau
The name of old Rosin the Beau
The name of old Rosin the Beau
With a diamond ring scratch upon them
The name of old Rosin the Beau

I've only this one consolation
As out of this world I go
I know that the next generation
Will resemble old Rosin the Beau
Will resemble old Rosin the Beau
Will resemble old Rosin the Beau
I know that the next generation
Will resemble old Rosin the Beau

I fear that old tyrant approaching
That cruel remorseless old foe
And I lift up me glass in his honor
Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau
Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau
Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau
And I lift up me glass in his honor
Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau