Lyrics

It being in September I well remember
Three noble heroes Manchester came
It’s their intention I now will mention
To free old Ireland from a tyrant chain

They police viewed them as if they knew them
And to them pursue they did not fail
They did surround them and hand cuffed bound them
And marched them prisoners to the county jail

When Allen heard of these men being taken
To Brian O’Larkin he quickly flew
Saying Colonel Kelly our hearts are breaking
For these noble heroes what shall we do

We’ll go together like one another
Like loyal brothers we will agree
Let every man go up to the van
And smash it open and set them free

But no kind friends who had followed after
These men were taken as yous may see
The judge and jury they found them guilty
And they died three martyrs for our country

‘Twas sad upon that fatal morning
And the friends assembled to bid farewell
The clock struck eight as our friends departed
The wicked Colclough did soon appear
They kissed each others like loyal brothers
For they knew their time it was drawing near

‘Twas on the scaffold they looked around them
Not a son of Erin was to be seen
But for miles around them they came in thousands
To see these martyrs die for the green

see also   The Manchester Martyrs / Denis McDaid and Jimmy Houten