Showing 20 results

Verse by Thomas Davis transcribed by Edmond Hourigan (Cork City), Tintown No. 3 Camp:

'We must not fail, we must not fail,
However fraud or force assail,
By Honour, Pride and policy
By Heaven, itself we must be free.'

Verse transcribed by M. Galvin, Hut 5, Tintown No. 3 Camp,

'Keep me in your memory
I dare not ask for more
We may not meet as we have met
When prison life is o'er
Your path and mine may be
In future far apart
Time may bring a change of scenes
But not a change of heart.

Verse by T. P. Duke transcribed by Tomás Ó Dúigh (Clare), Rath Camp:

'The Strike
Act 1
A rush. A cheer. A bursting of doors
with bedboard or with spike
Locks flying in Air, Ah! it's the
Boys in camp have gone on strike
The Guard called out their wind is up
in vain they bawl and shout
but the Boys don't seem to mind them
in groups they walk about.'

Verse transcribed by Sean Whelan (Enniscorthy, Wexford), Tintown Camp, 'on the second day of the fight for freedom':

'Oh God! to have fought, to have won, to have died
Defending the old flag
By sweet Slaney side.

Quote from a parody of Thomas Campbell's 'The Exile of Erin' transcribed by Liam Ó [Dulchaointigh], Tintown No 3 Camp, who ascribes this version to Rudyard Kipling:

'There came to the beach a poor exile of Erin
the dew on his thin robes was heavy and chill
Ere the dust from his brogues he fully had shaken
He was Member of Parliament introducing a Bill.

Verses transcribed Padraic Ó Briain, Rath Camp:

They lost! But O! They conquer
These men who their land would save
A firing party at break of day.
And a tasty quick-lime grave.

But think not of them with scorn
Nor mourn for the cause they died
This death saved Ireland's honour
What mattered all else beside.

We've been told twas a failure by those that ne'er understood
How the new born soul of Erin was baptised in martyrs' blood
And to all who crave for freedom, as the world its
meaning know, I give them this little story
The story of Glorious Easter Week.

Verse transcribed by Vincent Burke, Hut 12, No 3 Tintown camp:

'What is life?
Ah who can say!
Clouds upon a summer day
Gone tomorrow, here today
Gift of heaven come to stay
Who can say?

What is death
Ah no-one knows!
Words that cease and eyes that close
Something sweeter that repose
Just away that each one goes
Where God knows!

What is Love?
Ah who can tell!
Sometimes heaven, sometimes hell
Neither wholly ill or well
All would buy, but who can sell?
Who can tell?

Verse transcribed by Walter A. Mitchell (Rahan, Offaly), Hut 3, Tintown No.2 Camp:

Just a greeting from a comrade
Who lies in chains with you
To show you that a gloomy past
Did not our souls subdue
May all the pleasures which this world
To freeman's life, doth give
Be yours in all your future days
When slaves no more shall live.'

Verse from Internee No 832, James Donegan, No 9 Tent B Company:

'O would the God above
Send down a dove with wings as sharp as razors
To cut the throat of those English dogs,
That shot our Irish leaders'

Also a joke from Thomas McGivinchy: 'Happy is the man who sits on a wasp's nest, for he shall rise again.'

Verse transcribed by Internee 1537, D Company, Hut 31, Patrick J. Daly (Tullamore, Offaly):

'Lloyd George no doubt when his life ebbs out
Will ride in a fiery chariot
He will sit in state on a red hot plate
'Twixt the Devil and Judas Iscariot
Annanias that day to the Devil will say
My Presidency here has failed
So move up higher
Away from the fire
And make room for the liar from Wales.'