Lyrics:
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In comes the captain's daughter, the captain of the Yeos,
Saying, "Brave United Irishmen, we'll ne'er again be foes.
A thousand pounds I'll give to you, and fly from home with thee
And dress myself in man's attire, and fight for liberty!"
We are the boys of Wexford, who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain, and free our native land!
[chorus] (tune of last 4 lines of the verse)
We are the boys of Wexford, who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain, and free our native land!
"I want no gold, my maiden fair, to fly from home with thee;
Your shining eyes will be my prize - more dear then gold to me.
I want no gold to nerve my arm to do a true man's part
To free my land I'd gladly give the red drops from my heart."
[chorus]
And when we left our cabins, boys, we left with right good will,
To see our friends and neighbours that were at Vinegar Hill!
A young man from our ranks, a cannon he let go;
He slapt it into Lord Mountjoy - a tyrant he laid low!
[chorus]
We bravely fought and conquered at Ross, and Wexford town;
And, if we failed to keep them, 'twas drink that brought us down.
We had no drink beside us on Tubberneering's day,
Depending on the long bright pike, and well it worked its way!
[chorus]
They came into the country our blood to waste and spill;
But let them weep for Wexford, and think of Oulart Hill!
'Twas drink that still betrayed us - of them we had no fear;
For every man could do his part like Forth and Shelmalier!
[chorus]
My curse upon all drinking! It made our hearts full sore:
For bravery won each battle, but drink lost ever more.
And if, for want of leaders, we lost at Vinegar Hill,
We're ready for another fight, and love our country still!
[chorus]
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