Lyrics

Oh the town it climbed the mountain and looked upon the sea
At sleeping time or waking it’s there I long to be
To see again those kind old streets where first I grew a man
With the Boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

Now with cudgels stout we roamed about to hunt the dreólín
We searched for birds in every furze from Litir to Dooneen
We jumped for joy beneath the sky life held no plant or plan
And we Boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

And when the hills were bleeding and the rifles were aflame
To the rebel homes of Kerry the Saxon stranger came
But the men who beat the Auxies and fought the Black-and-Tans
Were once Boys in Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

So here's a health to them tonight those lads who laughed with me
By the lovely Shannon river or the slope at Bean 'a Tí
Sean Downing and Batt Andy and the Sheehans Con and Dan
Where once Boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

So here's a health to them tonight for they have gone their way
Deep in the heart of London town or over in Broadway
And I am left to sing their deeds and praise them while I can
Those Boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

And when the wheels of life runs down and peace comes over me
Just lay me down in that old town between the hills and sea
And I will sleep in those green fields where first I grew a man
With those Boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren