Dominic Behan - The Patriot Game

Come all you young rebels and list while I sing

For love of ones land is a terrible thing

It banishes fear with the speed of a flame

And makes us all part of the patriot game

My name is O'Hanlon, I'm just gone sixteen

My home is in Monaghan there I was weaned

I learned all my life cruel England to blame

And so I'm part of the patriot game

It's barely a year since I wandered away

With the local battalions of the bold IRA

I read of our heroes and wanted the same

To play up my part in the patriot game

They told me how Connolly was shot in a chair

His wounds from the fighting all bleeding and bare

His fine body twisted all battered and lame

They soon made me part of the patriot game

This Ireland of mine has for long been half-free

Six Counties are under John Bull's Monarchy

But still DeValera is greatly to blame

For shirking his part in the patriot game

I don't mind a bit if I shoot down police

They are lackeys for war never guardians of peace

And yet at deserters I'm never let aim

The rebels who sold out the patriot game

And now as I lie with my body all holes

I think of those traitors who bargained and sold

I'm sorry my rifle has not done the same

For the Quislings who sold out the patriot game

• Artist:Dominic Behan