On Mountjoy one Monday morning,
High upon the gallows tree,
Kevin Barry gave his young life
For the cause of liberty.
Just a lad of eighteen summers
Sure theres no one can deny
As he marched to death that morning
How he held his head on high.
Theres a knock at the door, Mr. MacAdorey. Och, Malachy, for
Gods sake, its three in the morning.You have the whole house woke
with the singing.
Och, Dan, Im only teaching the boys to die for Ireland.
You can teach them to die for Ireland in the daytime, Malachy.
Tis urgent, Dan, tis urgent.
I know, Malachy, but theyre only children. Babies.You go to bed
now like a dacent man.
Bed, Dan! What am I to do in bed? Her little face is there day and
night, her curly black hair and her lovely blue eyes. Oh, Jesus, Dan,
what will I do? Was it the hunger that killed her, Dan?
Of course not.Your missus was nursing her. God took her. He has
his reasons.
One more song, Dan, before we go to bed.
Good night, Malachy.
Come on, boys. Sing.
Because he loved the motherland,
Because he loved the green
He goes to meet a martyrs fate
With proud and joyous mien;
True to the last, oh! true to the last
He treads the upward way;
Young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge at Toome today.
Youll die for Ireland, wont you, boys?
We will, Dad.
And well all meet your little sister in heaven, wont we, boys?
We will, Dad.
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