I'm ninety miles from Dublin town
I'm in an H-Block cell 
To help you understand me plight 
This story now I'll tell. 

I'm on the blanket protest 
My efforts must not fail 
For I'm joined by men and women 
In the Kesh and Armagh jail. 

It all began one morning 
I was dragged to Castleragh 
And though it was three years ago 
It seems like yesterday. 

For three days kicked and beaten 
I then was forced to sign 
Confessions that convicted me 
Of deeds that were not mine. 

Sentenced in a Diplock court 
My protest it began 
I could not wear this prison gear 
I was a blanket man. 

I'll not accept their status 
I'll not be criminalised 
That's the issue in the blocks 
For which we give our lives. 

Over there in London town 
Oh how they'd laugh and sneer 
If they could only make us wear 
Their loathsome prison gear. 

Prisoners of war that's what we are 
And that we must remain 
The blanket protest cannot end 
Till status we regain. 

I've been beaten round the romper room 
Because I won't say 'Sir' 
I've been frog marched down the landing 
And dragged back by the hair. 

I've suffered degradation 
Humility and pain 
Still the spirit does not falter 
British torture is in vain. 

I've been held in scalding water 
While me back with deck scrubs was tore 
I've been scratched and cut from head to foot 
Then thrown out on the floor. 

I've suffered mirror searches 
Been probed by drunken bears 
I've heard me comrades cry and scream 
Then utter useless prayers. 

Now with the news that's coming in 
Our protest must not fail 
For now we're joined by thirty girls 
In Armagh's women's jail. 

So pay attention Irishmen 
And Irish women too 
And show the Free State rulers that 
Their silence will not do. 

Though it's ninety miles from Dublin town 
It seems so far away 
There's more attention to our plight 
In the USA. 

Now you've heard the story 
Of this filthy living hell 
Remember ninety miles away 
I'm still in an H-Block cell.