Post by Ptarmigan on May 22, 2008 11:22:55 GMT
Peace in Erin - by County Antrim poet Hugh McWilliams
c1830
An Ulster man I'm proud to be from Antrim's glens I come,
And though I've laboured by the sea I have followed fife and drum.
I have heard the martial tramp of men, I've seen them fight and die,
Ah lads I well remember when I followed Henry Joy.
I dragged my boat unto the land and I hid my sails away,
I hung my nets upon a tree and I scanned the moonlit bay.
The boys were out, the Redcoats too, I kissed my wife goodbye,
And in the shade of a green wood glade I followed Henry Joy.
Oh lads 'twas Ireland's cause we fought for side and home we bled.
Though our hearts were true, our numbers were few and five to one lay dead.
There was many a lassie mourned her lad, and mother mourned her boy,
For youth was strong in that battle throng that followed Henry Joy.
In Antrim Town the tyrant stood, he tore our ranks with ball,
But with a cheer and a pike to clear, we swept them o'er the wall
Our pikes and sabres flashed that day, we won, but lost. Oh why?
No matter lads, I fought beside and shielded Henry Joy.
In Belfast town they have built a tree and the Redcoats muster there.
I saw him come as the beat of a drum, rang out on the barrack square.
He kissed his sister and went aloft he bid his last goodbye,
My God he died, and I turned and I cried. they have murdered Henry Joy.
Peace in Erin - by Hugh McWilliams
c1830
An Ulster man I'm proud to be from Antrim's glens I come,
And though I've laboured by the sea I have followed fife and drum.
I have heard the martial tramp of men, I've seen them fight and die,
Ah lads I well remember when I followed Henry Joy.
I dragged my boat unto the land and I hid my sails away,
I hung my nets upon a tree and I scanned the moonlit bay.
The boys were out, the Redcoats too, I kissed my wife goodbye,
And in the shade of a green wood glade I followed Henry Joy.
Oh lads 'twas Ireland's cause we fought for side and home we bled.
Though our hearts were true, our numbers were few and five to one lay dead.
There was many a lassie mourned her lad, and mother mourned her boy,
For youth was strong in that battle throng that followed Henry Joy.
In Antrim Town the tyrant stood, he tore our ranks with ball,
But with a cheer and a pike to clear, we swept them o'er the wall
Our pikes and sabres flashed that day, we won, but lost. Oh why?
No matter lads, I fought beside and shielded Henry Joy.
In Belfast town they have built a tree and the Redcoats muster there.
I saw him come as the beat of a drum, rang out on the barrack square.
He kissed his sister and went aloft he bid his last goodbye,
My God he died, and I turned and I cried. they have murdered Henry Joy.
Peace in Erin - by Hugh McWilliams