Henry's Songbook

Come gather round you freeborn men and draw your chairs to mine
And I'll tell you of my country that you might understand
And of the English armies that marched in for to stay
Oh that night they wounded old Ireland and she's bleeding to this day

Their dogs of war were loosed to run and hunt the rebels down
They hoped to rule this land by fear and hold it for the Crown
But a mighty thought was born in men when they killed James Connolly
Oh that night they wounded old Ireland and she's bleeding to this day

The Border lies like an open wound that only love can heal
For bitterness and cruelty they will never close the weal
The men of vision built a dream which the blind men stole away
Oh that night they wounded old Ireland and she's bleeding to this day

My heart it holds a vision clear that thousands more can see
Of Ireland free from hatred and death and bigotry
Where Irishman to Irishman can in friendship clasp a hand
If we banish fright from the Ulster night then we'll free old Ireland

Repeat 1

[1982:] The song deals with two recent periods in Irish history - some of the events leading up to the formation of the Irish Republic, and the present-day situation in Ulster. The cause of the "troubles" is well-enough documented in history books, the song, however, is simply my prayer for Peace and maybe one day happiness for the peoples of the North, and an end to the violence that has claimed so many innocents. (Notes Andy M. Stewart, 'By the Hush')