The Soldiers of '22
Unknown
I sing no song of long ago, of warriors staunch and bold
Who bore their spears on Irish hills, in golden days of old
But I raise a rann for our own dear lads, the loyal the brave and true
who flung their lives in the bearna bhaoil, the soldiers of '22.
When they heard the call of a cause laid low, they sprang to their guns again
and the pride of all was first to fall, the glory of our fighting men
In the days to come when the pipe and drum you follow in the ways they knew
when their praise you sing let the echoes ring with the memory of Cathal Brugha
Brave Liam Lynch on the mountainside fell a victim to the foe
And Dinny Lacey for Ireland died in the Glen of Aherlow
Neil Boyle and Quinn from the North came down to stand with the
faithful few
And well sing their praise in the freedom days among the heroes of '22.
Some fell in proud rush of war and some by a treacherous blow
Like the martyrs four in Dublin town and their comrades at Drumboe
And a 100 more in the barrack square and by lonely roadsides too
Without fear they died and we speak with pride of our martyrs of '22.