Boys of Kilmichael

Oh forget not the boys of Kilmichael Those brave boys both gallant and true They fought with Tom Barry's bold column And conquered the red, white and blue Whilst we honour in song and in story The memory of Pearse and McBride Whose names are illumined in glory With martyrs that long since have died Oh forget not the boys of Kilmichael Who feared not the ice and the foe Oh the day that they marched into battle They laid all the Black and Tans low On the twenty eighth day of November The Tans left the town of Macroom They were seated in Crossley tenders Which brought them right into their doom They were on the high road to Kilmichael And never expecting to stall 'Twas there that the boys of the column They made a clear sweep of them all The sun in the west it was sinking 'Twas the eve of a cold winter's day When the Tans we were eagerly waiting Sailed into the spot where we lay And over the hill went the echo The peal of the rifles and guns And the smoke from their lorries bore tidings That the boys of Kilmichael had won The battle being over at twilight And there in that glen so obscure We threw down our rifles and bayonets And made our way back to Granure And high over Dunmanway town, my boys They sang of the brave and the true Of the men from Tom Barry's bold column Who conquered the red, white and blue There are some who will blush at the mention Of Connolly, Pearse and McBride And history's new scribes in derision The pages of valour deny But sure here's to the boys who cried, Freedom! When Ireland was nailed to the mast And they fought with Tom Barry's bold column To give us our freedom at last Final chorus: So forget not the boys of Kilmichael Those brave boys both gallant and true They fought 'neath the green flag of Erin And conquered the red, white and blue