Twas on a Sunday evening the sun was in the sky
As he walked his way to the Gaelic pitch never thinking he was going to die
But as he crossed the checkpoint the sound of gunfire came
The news spread through the border town Aiden McAnespie was slain

For years he was harassed by the forces of the crown
As he went to his work every day he left his native town
The soldiers swore they´d get him the reason no one can say
And sure enough they murdered him in cold blood that sunny day

Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic ground

The people heard the gunfire they came from miles around
They saw that you man lying there dying on the ground
His flow of life was ebbing fast and people they tried their best
That bullet wound it was far to deep it went right through his chest

Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic ground

Aidens life had ended it was time for judgement day
The soldier he jumped down from the tower and the coward he slipped away
God´s curse on you Britannia for this cruel deed you´ve done
But god will have his final say when your judgement day it comes

Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic ground

To say it was an accident is the greatest crime of all
To his heart-broken family the worst had `er befalled
A cross it marks the lonely spot where Aiden was gunned down
As he strolled on that sunny evening on his way to the Gaelic ground

Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic ground

 

The Armagh Sniper 

Athenrye


In South Armagh there was a man who had a long-range gun
He said I’ll show them Army boys there’s nowhere they can run
He was the South Armagh sniper
He’d pick a spot and wait the whole day through
Until a brit patrol came into view



The Armagh sniper he never missed his mark
He was lethal in the daytime and deadly in the dark
If he gets you in his sights you’d better say your prayers
So British troops go home or else beware


Soon his reputation spread through Ulster like wildfire
The list of British casualties just kept on getting higher
It was the South Armagh sniper he made the British forces think again
About wandering at night through Crossmaglen

The Armagh sniper the brits were terrified
They could never pin him down no matter how they tried
If he gets you in his sights he’ll make widows of your wives
So brits go home while you still have your lives


In London and in Dublin they pretend to speak of peace
They say give us your weapons and we’ll make this bloodshed cease
But the south Armagh sniper he’s heard their lies and double-talk before
He won’t be fooled or cheated anymore

The Armagh sniper he hasn’t gone away
His rifles oiled and loaded he’s just waiting for the day
so if the British government should break their word well then
The sniper will go back to work again

"I’m a-comin back boys"

 

Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
And never brought to mind? 
Sould auld acquaintance be forgot 
And days of auld lang syne 

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne 

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp 
And surely I'll be mine 
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet 
For auld lang syne 

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne 

We twa hae run about the braes 
And pou'd the gowans fine 
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit 
Sin' auld lang syne 

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne 

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn 
Frae morning sun till dine 
But seas between us braid hae roar'd 
Sin' auld lang syne 

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne 

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere 
And gie's a hand o' thine 
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught 
For auld lang syne 

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne

Auf Wiedershen 

Unknown

Chorus

So Auf Wiedershen to Crossmaglen farewell to Carrickmore
I`ve seen enough of Ireland boys and I won`t be back for
more! No I won`t be back for more!

The recruiting sergeant told me boys, how army life is fine-
But he did not mention the mortar bombs or those bloody Claymore
Mines!


He told me of the German girls, the discos evert night-
But the only craic in South Armagh comes from an armalite!

Well I`ve spent some time on the Toombe Bridge line where I thought I knew no fear,Then a van-bomb parked outside my Lisburn base and brought the barracks in around my ears!


So farewell at last to West Belfast, to the Markets and the Falls-
I quickly got the message there it was written on the walls (Brits Out)


So all you young lads who in England be signing on the brew-
Keep well away from the IRA and they won`t bother you...

Ashtowne Road 

Unknown

This ballad relates the story of Martin Savage, an Officer 
of the Dublin Brigade of the IRA who was killed in an ambush at Ashtown., Co. Dublin on December 19th 1919. It is sung to the 
air of "The Snowy-Breasted Pearl." 

Twas a cold December day 
A lorry ploughed its way 
'Midst bullets splash and play 
On Ashtown Road

In that car a living tool 
Of England's hated rule 
There was begun a duel 
On Ashtown Road.

Young Savage, unafraid, 
With gun and hand grenade 
Attacked them undismayed, 
On Ashtown Road.

But a bullet laid him low 
From a rifle of the foe, 
That' s another debt we owe 
For Ashtown Road.

But another day shall dawn 
Like that cold December morn 
When a martyr's name was born 
On Ashtown Road.

We laid him in a grave 
Where the willows sadly wave, 
Oh! son of Erin brave, 
Farewell to thee.



A Prisoner's Christmas 

Unknown

On the motorway just the other night, 
Some lights were flickering off to my right, 
My little son sitting by my side, 
Asked "are those fairy lights for Christmas time."

Chorus

Those are not lights for a Christmas tree, 
That's dark Long Kesh son, you'll grow to see, 
That Christmas cheer does not mean a thing, 
In the Gaelic in Armagh or a H-Block wing.

It is a time for festivity, 
For party games and our families, 
But many homes are sad tonight, 
They whisper someones name by the candlelight.

Tis the season of goodwill, 
And here in Ireland we believe that still, 
I hate no man for his faith or creed, 
We only want our sons and our daughters free.

When you grow up son, to be a man, 
You will inherit a better land, 
With peace and joy let our country ring, 
You'll never have to hear your children sing

 

An Dord Feinne 

Unknown

'Se do bhea - tha 'bhean ba lean 
mhar b'e ar greach tu bheith i ngeibh - eann . 
Do dhui - che bhrea i - sei - ibh meir - leach 'stu 
diol - ta leis na Gall - aibh. 

Chorus

O - ro 'se do bhea - tha 'bhai - le 
or - ro 'se do bhe - tha 'bhai - le 
O - ro se do bhea - tha 'bhai - le 
'Nois ar theacht an tsamh raidh. 

Ta Grainne Mhaol ag teacht thar saile; 
Oglaigh armtha lei mar gharda 
Gaeil iad fein is ni Gaill na Spainnigh; 
Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaidh 

A bhui le Ri na bhfeart bo bhfeiceam; 
Muna mbiom beo ina dheoidh ach seachtain 
Grainne Mhaol is mile gaiscioch; 
Ag fogairt fain ar Ghallaibh.


A Prisoners Anthem 

Unknown

Chorus

Let us sing a Prisoner’s anthem, let it echo through the cells
All along the halls and landings, let our hearts and voices swell!

Well let us sing of home and loved ones and the things that keep us sane, 
Of the friends who will be waiting when we all walk free again.

Well there’s a part that can’t be captured in every woman and in every man, 
For the spirit cannot be shackled although they chain our feet and hands!

So come all ye screws and warders, don’t you think tat it’s a crime?
Although you do your best to break us we still stand as we do our time!

 

Admiral William Brown 

Traditional

From a county Mayo town came a man of great renown
As a sailor and a soldier was none bolder
He went to America at an early age they say
As a cabin boy to sail the wide world over
Then adventure took him south to the De La Plata mouth
San Martin was on the route in Argentina
So three whaling ships he bought and Brazil and Spain 
he fought, And freedom then he sought for Argentina

Now Admiral William Brown you're a man of courage shown
And in battles fought the odds were all against you
But your Irish heart was strong and in memory still lives on
And in Ireland there are some that don't forget you
On St. Patrick's day it's told you had many victories bold
You defeated all invaders thugs and bullys
Then through the Pampas rose and you found a happy home
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

He had heard of Irish hands in noble gallant bands
That helped to free the land called Argentina
He had heard with great acclaim the Patricios name and fame
When in 1806 the British came for slaughter
And to this very day in the Argentine they say
The English ran away from Buenos Aires
To the islands further down and they took them for the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

We remember William Brown and his land of great renown
He, invader of the islands from your country
When in 1833 were by pirates forced to flee
And in Ireland sure we know the story fully
And the people that went too to the Argentina when new
To escape the English laws and wars and famine
They had proved a loyal crew just like all the Irish do
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

The old colonial days and cruel English ways
With her thunder plunder we will teach the natives
For the Brits are going to war just like Whitelocke did before
With her ships and guns and drums and flags and banners
In the Empire days of old when they murdered for gold
And paraded it around the streets of London
Oh no human rights were given to the natives dead or living
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

In the Argentine he died Father Fahey by his side
'57 was the year his country mourned him
A hero of the nation he's remembered with elation
Throughout the world where freedom still abounds
And the Southern Cross take note where bold Willie Bullfin wrote
The Irish still support you Argentina
With the Empire tumbling down let no Paddies back the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

 

Aul Alarm Clock 

Unknown

When first i went to london in the year in '39,
The city it was wonderful and the girls were so 
devine but the coppers got suspicious and they 
soon gave me a knock i was charged with the 
possession of an old alarm clock

That evening down by market street ,i caused no little
stir, well the IRA were busy and the telephones did glare
said the judge im going to charge you with the possession
of this machine ,and im also going to charge you with the 
wearing of the green

Says I to him your honour if you give me half a chance,
ill show you how my smell machine can make you peelers 
dance , it ticks away politely till you get an awful 
shock, as it ticks away the gelgnite in me aul alarm clock

The Judge he says to me young man ill tell you of my plan
for you and all your country men, i do not give a damn,
the only time of mine youll take ,is ten years in
darthmore dock and you can count it by the ticking ofyour
aul alarm clock

Now its dreary darthmore prison ,not many in the jig
the cell isnt pretty and it isnt very big
id long ago have left the palce if i had only got
ah me couple of sticks of gelgnite and me aul alarm clock



Ambush at Clonoe 

Gerry O Glacian


Here's a song of young lives lost before their times,
Of four daring lads cut down in their prime
In a land that longs for freedom and for peace
It's a prayer that all the heartache soon might cease

Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say,
When the cut's so deep the pain won't go away
How much longer must we struggle, mourn and pray,
Til we see the light of Freedom's dawning day?

In their boyhood years these lads learned at first hand:
They were only second class in their own land,
Stopped and searched by police each time they walked the streets
And degraded by each foot-patrol they'd meet

To those RUC and soldiers it was fun,
To intimidate our children with their guns
But there's some young folk who won't take any more
And there's some who want to even up the score

Barry O'Donnell was a thorn in England's side
And he led his volunteers with dauntless pride
Sean O'Farrell stood beside him all the while
And we never will forget his roguesh smile

Countless times in action theses pair played their part
That they couldn't hold them broke the soldiers' hearts
But both lads knew they lived on borrowed time
But they'd make their mark before they crossed the line

In Coalisland sqaure that February night
Oh the sentries in the barracks all took fright 
For on the lorry coming straight ahead
Was a unit of the East Tyrone Brigade

From that lorry's back the Irish flag flew high 
And the big machine gun pointed to the sky
And when Barry with that gun began to shoot
How those Brits there longed for transfers to Beirut

As the chaser bullets split the barrack wall
Those bold volunteers they showed no fear at all
As the lorry drove away the people cheered
Letting knowing that their prize would soon be tears

It was the boldest deed that little town had known
In the all the years of struggle in Tyrone
But it was the saddest night that town would come to know
For the S.A.S. lay waiting at Clonoe

It was not until they had the big gun down
And the volunteers thought they were safe and sound
That the SAS they opened up from every side
And on that killing ground four brave lads died

We lost bold Peter Clancy on that night
A volunteer who scorned Brittania's might
Young Paddy Vincent died there by his side
He lost his life for what he thought was right

WE SALUTE YOU BARRY, PETER, PADDY, SEAN
THOUGH YOU'VE LEFT US, STILL YOUR MEMORY WILL LIVE ON
FOR TO THE CROWN THE KNEE YOU'D NEVER BEND
AND YOU WERE BOLD AND FEARLESS TO THE END

So come all of you who love your native land
As for peace and freedom we march hand in hand
Our brave volunteers have not been lost in vain
From the ashes we can build our land again

Here's a song of young lives lost before their time...

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