1923
Freedom’s Sake
By A True Republican
State soldiers went round searching our countryside for days,
To flush out freedom fighters (or take them to their graves).
On this bright winter morning, you would have seen them creep
around the column’s hideout while they lay in their sleep.
The stern command: “Surrender!” rang out o’er Derriestown:
“Surrender now Irregulars! To Free State! And to Crown!”
Bold Barney grabbed his rifle, his fighters did the same,
All jumped to strike for freedom, for dear old Ireland’s name.
The c***k of muskets broke out, a terrifying sound
of g*n and bomb explosions went blasting all around.
Captain Parle was heard to call, above the piteous roar,
to rally on his comrades, as he often had before:
“Prepare yourselves to fight now, m’true born Irish
