Amhran na bhFiann

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The Soldier's Song

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song
With cheering rousing chorus
As round our blazing fires we throng
The starry heavens o'er us
Impatient for the coming fight
And as we wait the morning's light
Here in the silence of the night
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Soldiers are we
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come
From a land beyond the wave
Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave
Tonight we man the gap of danger ( Bearna Baoghal )
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
Mid cannons roar and rifles peal
We'll chant a soldier's song.

In valley green on towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us
We're children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Soldiers are we
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come
From a land beyond the wave
Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot orthe slave
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
Mid cannons roar and rifles peal
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Sons of the Gael! men of the Pale!
The long watched day is breaking
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the Tyrant quaking
Our camp fires now are burning low
See in the east a sil'vry glow
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe
So chant a soldier's song.

Soldiers are we
Whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come
From a land beyong the wave
Sworn to be free
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Paddy's Lamentation

Well it's by the hush, me boys, and sure that's to hold your noise
And listen to poor Paddy's sad narration
I was by hunger pressed, and in poverty distressed
So i took a thought I'd leave the Irish nation.

Here's you boys, now take my advice
To America I'll have ye's not be coming
There is nothing here but war, where the murderin' cannons roar
And i wish i was at home in dear old Dublin.

Well i sold me horse and cow, me little pigs and sow
My little plot of land i soon did part with
And me sweetheart Bid McGee, i'm afraid i'll never see
For i left her there that morning broken-hearted.

Here's you boys, now take my advice
To America i'll have ye's not be comin'
There is nothing here but war, where the murderin' cannons roar
And i wish i was at home in dear old Dublin.

Well myself and a hundred more, to America sailed oe'r
Our fortunes to be made, we were thinkin'
When we got to Yankee land, they shoved a gun into our hands
Saying " Paddy, you must go and fight for Lincoln "

General Meagher to us he said, if you get shot or lose your leg
Every mother's son of yours will get a pension
Well, meself i lost me leg, they gave me a wooden peg
And by God this is the truth to you i mention

Here's you boys, now take my advice
To America i'll have ye's not be comin'
There is nothing here but war, where the murderin cannons roar
And i wish i was at home in dear old Dublin.