Lyrics

On March the sixth in sixty nine we sailed from Queenstown Quay
With the Fenian boys from Erin’s Isle bound for Americay
While travelling with this happy band as you might plainly see
I was forced to go from sweet Cloughroe down Erin’s lovely Lee

For six long weeks we ploughed the sea from Queenstown Quay in Cork
Just like an arrow through the the air we landed in New York
Those Yankee boys with stars and stripes came flocking down to see
This gallant band of Fenian men from Erin’s lovely Lee

Now one of them stepped up to me and asked me did I know
The green woods of Kilclooney or the Glens of Aherlow
Or could I tell where Crowley fell his native land to free
Or the tower that Captain Mackey sacked down Erin’s lovely Lee

‘Tis I can tell where Crowley fell ‘twas in Kilclooney Woods
And the tower that Captain Mackey sacked twas was by his side I stood
When he gave the word we raised a cheer that made the tyrants frown
Sure we raised the green flag o’er our heads the harp without the crown

He also asked me did I know where Wolfe Tone’s body lay
Or did I know the resting place of Emmet’s sacred clay
Or what of Michael Dwyer the Wicklow mountain’s pride
Or the three Manchester martyrs Allen Larkin and O’Brien

Well when I was leaving Ireland sure I passed through sweet Kildare
And if I’m not great mistaken Wolfe Tone is lying there
And going round by Dublin’s town I passed St. Werburgh’s tomb
Tell there that Robert Emmet lies a patriot so true

It’s now I’m tired of foreign land and I’m going to cross the main
To feel the grasp of honest hands when I return again
When I go home to sweet Cloghroe the boys will welcome me
And they’ll help to float a Fenian boat down Erin’s lovely Lee