The Patriot Game - The Irish Ramblers

Come all ye young rebels and list while I sing

For the love of one's country is a terrible thing

It banishes fear with the speed of a flame

And it makes us all part of the patriot game

My name is O'Hanlon and I've just turned sixteen

My home is in Monaghan that's where I was weaned

I learned all my life cruel England's to blame

So now I am part of the patriot game

They told me how Connolly was shot in his chair

His wounds from the fighting all bloody and bare

His fine body twisted all battered and lame

They soon made me part of the patriot game

It's nearly two years since I wandered away

With the local battalion of the bold IRA

For I read of our heroes and wanted the same

To play out my part in the patriot game

This Ireland of ours has too long been half free

Six counties lie under John Bull's tyranny

And most of our leaders are greatly to blame

For feeling the part in the patriot game

And now as I lie here my body all holes

I think of those traitors who bargained in souls

And I wish that my rifle had given the same

To those quislings who sold out the patriot game

Come all ye young rebels and list while I sing

For the love of one's country is a beautiful thing

It banishes fear with the speed of a flame

And it makes us all part of the patriot game