The Boys of Wexford

In comes the captain's daughter,
The captain of the Yeos,
Saying, " Brave United man,
We'll ne'er again be foes.
A thousand pounds I'll give you,
And fly from home with thee,
And dress myself in man's attire,
And fight for libertie ! "
We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain.
And free our native land !

And when we left our cabins, boys,
We left with right goodwill,
To see our friends and neighbours
That were at Vinegar Hill !
A young man from our ranks,
A cannon he let go ;
He slapt it into Lord Mountjoy —
A tyrant be laid low !
We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand,
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land !

We bravely fought and conquered
At Ross, and Wexford town ;
And, if we failed to keep them,
'Twas drink that brought us down.
We had no drink beside us
On Tubber'neering's day,
Depending on the long bright pike,
And well it worked its way !
We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land !

They came into the country
Our blood to waste and spill ;
But let them weep for Wexford,
And think of Oulart Hill !
'Twas drink that still betrayed us —
Of them we had no fear ;
For every man could do his part
Like Forth and Shelmalier !
We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land !

My curse upon all drinking !
It made our hearts full sore ;
For bravery won each battle,
But drink lost evermore ;
And if, for want of leaders,
We lost at Vinegar Hill,
We're ready for another fight,
And love our country still !
We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land !