Fighting Irish

9-21-09

The Fighting Irish
By Padrig Boles


For nearly 300 years
The young Irish men
Who started out in such rude surroundings
With want of food, and religious freedom
They fought the world over
But never for the Emerald Isle
Call them Kern or Galloglass
They would wield axe, or dart or javelin
The Wild Geese would fly where ‘er they were needed
Jacobites, or rangers, like lions did they fight
It mattered not whose army they bled and died for
But never for the Emerald Isle


For nearly 300 years
They did not attend Notre Dame
No these fighting Irish wanted no fame
Just to eat and live and follow the pope
The Shamrocks fought for Stanley, Sansfield, Moffet, for Terry
But never for the Emerald Isle
Whether it be Monterey, Boyn, or Fotenoy
For Spain they toiled
For France they warred
For Britain they marched and attacked as well
They traveled to Africa, the Netherlands and Canada
But never for the Emerald Isle

For nearly 300 years
They would meet their challengers
No discussion ever had they
As they likely spoke a far different tongue
During the Boer or Eighty Year war
But never for the Emerald Isle
For Austria they led
In Italy they were prized
Under the banner Irlanda, Hibernia or Ultonia
In America they fought the Brits twice
320 acres and time for church brought them to Mexico’s aid
But never for the Emerald Isle

For nearly 300 years
For fortune, flag and family
They would stop at river fords
And fight single combat
Till their bloody death
But never for the Emerald Isle
The treaty of Limerick set it
The young Irish men
Who started out in such rude surroundings
With want of food, and religious freedom
Even today they fight
But never for the Emerald Isle


NOTE: I would really like some talented individual to take one or both of my peoms/sons and put them to music!