(O'Malley)
Twas on a dreary New Year's Eve as the shades of night came down,
A lorry load of volunteers approached a border town,
There were men from Dublin and from Cork, Fermanagh and Tyrone
But the leader was a Limerick man, Sean South from Garryowen.
And as they moved along the street up to the barracks door,
they scorned the dangers they would meet, the fate that lay in store,
They were fighting for old Ireland's cause to claim their very own,
And the foremost of that gallant band was South of Garryowen.
But the sergeant foiled their daring plan,
he spied them through the door,
Then the sten guns and the rifles, a hail of death did pour,
And when that awful night was past, two men lay cold as stone,
One was from near the border town and one from Garryowen.
No more he will hear the seagulls cry or the murmuring Shannon tide,
For he fell beneath a northern sky, brave O'Hanlon by his side.
He has gone to join that gallant band of Plunkett, Pearse and Tone,
Another martyr for old Ireland, Sean South of Garryowen
(G.O'Glacain)
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 weary H-Block cages ten brave young Irishmen lay
hungering for justice as 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 McCreesh 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 will be remembered as history unfolds.
So 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.
Through the war torn streets of Ulster the black flags did sadly sway
to salute ten Irish martyrs the bravest of the brave,
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Docherty
they gave their lives for freedom with Thomas McElwee.
Michael Devin 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.
So 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.
The night was icy cold I stood along
I was waiting for an army foot patrol
and when at last they came into my site
I squeezed the trigger of my armalite
(Chorus)
Ooh Mama, ooh Mama comfort me
for I know these offal things have got to be
but when the war for freedom has been won
I promise you I'll put away my gun.
A shot rang out, I heard a soldier cry
ooh please don't leave me here alone to die
I realized his patrol had run away
and left their wound comrade for me to sly.
(Chorus)
There's nothing in this world I would not do
if there's mercy in your heart you'll let me live
and in his eyes I saw a look of pain
as the mussel of my gun moved towards his brain.
(Chorus)
The dawn was breaking as I reached my base
I will not forget the look on that boy's face
fear, agony, and torment where all there
ooh but to your memory mother his life I spared.
(Chorus)