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Kelly the Boy from Killane

Ireland.


    What's the news, what's the news, O my bold Shelmalier
    With your long barrel guns from the sea ?
    Say, what wind from the south brings a messenger here
    With a hymn of the dawn for the free ?
    Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
    Goodly news shall I hear Bargy man.
    For the boys march at morn from the south to the north
    Led by Kelly, the boy from Killane.

    Tell me who is the giant with the gold curling hair
    He who rides at the head of your band.
    Seven feet is his height with some inches to spare
    And he looks like a king in command.
    O my boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmalier
    'Mongst our greatest of heros a man
    Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
    For John Kelly, the boy from Killane.

    Enniscorthy's in flames and old Wexford is won
    And the barrow tomorrow we will cross
    On the hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
    That will batter the gateway to Ross.
    All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath
    With brave Harvey to lead in the van
    But the foremost of all in the grim gap of death
    Will be Kelly, the boy from Killane.

    But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
    And it set by the Slaney's red wave
    And poor Wexford stripped naked hung high on a cross
    With her heart pierced by traitors and slaves.
    Glory-o, Glory-o to her brave sons who died
    For the cause of long down-trodden man.
    Glory-o to Mount-Leinster's own darling and pride
    Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane.


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