Patriot Game

Billy Behen



Come all you young rebels and list while we 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'Hannon and I've just gone sixteen.

My home is in Monaghan where I was weaned.

I've learned all my life cruel England's to blame and

so I'm a part of the patriot game.



It's barely two years since they wandered away and

it was with the local battalion of the bold IRA

For they'd read of our heroes and they wanted the same

to play their own part in the patriot game.



This Ireland of ours has for long been half-free.

Six counties are under John Bull's tyranny.

So, we gave up our boyhood to drill and to train and

play our own part in the patriot game.



And now as I lie here, my body all holes,

I think of those traitors who bargained in souls.

I wish that my rifle had given the same to those Quislings

who sold out the patriot game.