God Save Ireland lyrics
The Wolfe TonesHigh upon the gallows tree
Swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met him face to face
With the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh no matter when for Ireland dear we fall!
Grit around with cruel foes
Still their courage proudly rose
For they thought of hearts that loved them far and near
For the millions true and brave
For the ocean's swilling wave
And their friends in dear old Ireland ever dear
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh no matter when for Ireland dear we fall!
Climbed they up the rugged stair
Rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree
Kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh no matter when for Ireland dear we fall!
Never till the latest day
Shall their memory pass away,
Oh, the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go
Midst joy and weal and woe,
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand!
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh no matter when for Erin dear we fall!
Song Details
Lyrics: Timothy Daniel Sullivan - Irish nationalist, politician, journalist and poet - first published on December 7, 1867.
Brief: The song celebrates the Manchester Martyrs of 1867 where 3 Fenians - William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin, and Michael O'Brien were executed for the murder of a police officer in Manchester, England. They were members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood dedicated to ending British Rule in Ireland. Their date of execution was Nov 23, 1867, and their last words - "God Save Ireland".
The song served as an unofficial Irish national anthem for Irish nationalists from the 1870s to the 1910's. During the Parnellite split, it was the anthem of the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation.
Glossary:
Fenian - Organization dedicated to establishing an independant Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The term symbolized two principles: Ireland's natural right to independence and the right could only be won by an armed revolution.
Genre: Irish Rebel Song
Covers: The Dubliners, The Irish Rebels, The Wolfe Tones (featured).
Album: Rifles Of The I.R.A (1969 - IE - 12" Vinyl - Dolphin Records).
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