The Men Behind the Wire

On Monday, the ninth of August 1971 at 4:30 AM, Irish men from all over the six counties were taken from their homes. Hundreds of these men were then imprisoned without trial in Long Kesh concentration camp. This is a song borne of the civil resistance campaign which followed internment. A song dedicated to those men in Long Kesh who are still more than 10 years later, the Men behind the wire

Armoured cars and tanks and guns

Came to take away our sons

But every man must stand behind

The men behind the wire

Through the little streets of Belfast

In the dark of early morn

British soldiers marauding

Wrecking little homes with scorn

Heedless of the crying children

Dragging fathers from their bed

Beating sons while helpless mothers

Watched the blood pour from their heads

Armoured cars and tanks and guns

Came to take away our sons

But every man must stand behind

The men behind the wire

Not for them a judge and jury

Nor indeed a crime at all

But being Irish means they're guilty

So we're guilty one and all

Round the world the truth will echo:

Cromwell's men are here again

England's name again is sullied

In the eyes of honest men

Armoured cars and tanks and guns

Came to take away our sons

But every man must stand behind

The men behind the wire

Proudly march behind our banners

Firmly stand behind our men

We will have them free to help us

Build a nation once again

On the people, step together

Proudly, firmly on your way

Never fear and never falter

Till the boys come home to stay

Armoured cars and tanks and guns

Came to take away our sons

But every man must stand behind

The men behind the wire

Armoured cars and tanks and guns

Came to take away our sons

But every man must stand behind

The men behind the wire