Old Fenian Gun - Ray McAreavey/Johnny Beggan

It hung above the kitchen fire

It's barrel long and brown

And one day with a boy's desire

I climbed and took it down

My father's eyes with anger flashed

He cried what have you done

I wish you'd left it where it was

That's my old Fenian gun

I fondled it with love and pride

I looked it over and over

I placed it on my shoulder

And I marched across the floor

My father's anger softened

And he shared my boyish fun

Ah well he said

'Tis in your breed

Like that old Fenian gun

I remember '67 well

When lads like you and me

All thought we'd strike another blow

To set old Ireland free

But broken were our golden hopes

I was long months on the run

But it did good work for Ireland

Then that brown old Fenian gun

I was down then in Killaluk

'Twas the hottest fight of all

And you see he burned his arm

There's a mark still on the ball

I hope the young lads growing now

Will hold the ground we won

And not disgrace the cause in which

I held that Fenian gun

I placed it on my shoulder

And I heard my father sigh

I knew his thoughts were turning back

On days now long gone by

And then I vowed within my heart

I'll be my father's son

And if ever Ireland wants my aid

I'll hold the Fenian gun

That's years ago I've grown a man

And I've weathered many a gale

The last long year

I'v spent inside

A gloomy English jail

I've done my part

I'll do it still

Until the fight is won

When Ireland's free

She'll bless the men

Who held the Fenian gun