Digital Tradition Mirror

My Father Once Said to Me

My Father Once Said to Me
(Mark Westphal)

 In 1916, in the year of our Lord
 Fighting came to Ireland like it never had before
 For freedom comes to those who fight for its day
 So I picked up my rifle and joined the IRA

         My great grandfather once said to his son
         The brits will leave before this year is done
         This war will soon be in the past
         and Ireland will be free at last
         Cause it won't be long until we've won
         That`s what my great grandfather said to his son

 A free and united Ireland was our only desire
 And the best of the British Army couldn't put out that fire
 But a deal with the devil was soon put forth
 Freedom for the South and nothing for the North

 Well, this didn't seem really right with me
 For Ireland is one from sea to sea
 And the IRA said our job's not done
 So off to the North I went with my gun

         My grandfather once said to his son
         The brits will leave before this year is done
         This war will soon be in the past
         and the North will be free at last
         Cause it won't be long until we've won
         That`s what my grandfather said to his son

 We fought in the fields, we fought in the streets
 And the English knew we couldn't be beat
 We fought with rifles, we fought with rocks
 And sent many a soldier home in a box

 The fight has been long and many have fell
 And we weep for the rebels who starved alone in a cell
 For the price of our freedom is paid with blood
 of those IRA men who have died in the mud

         My father once said to me
         All of Ireland will soon be free
         These troubles will be in the past
         and the North will be free at last
         Cause it won't be long until we've won
         That's what my father said to his son

 Is life so sweet or is peace so dear?
 That the weight of chains are easy to bear
 For freedom comes to those who fight for its day
 So pick up your rifle and join the IRA

         Now I am a father and I have a son
         The brits are still here, they haven't gone
         And Ireland bleeds every year
         For in the North there is death and fear
         Until it's free, I'll keep my gun
         That's what I'm going to tell my son

Copyright Mark Westphal 1996
MW
oct97

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!