The Patriot Game
(Dominic Behan)

Come all ye young rebels, and list while I 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'Hanlon, and I've just turned sixteen
My home is in Monaghan, and where I was weaned
I learned all my life cruel England's to blame,
So now I am part of the patriot game

This Ireland of ours has too long been half free
Six counties lie under John Bull's tyranny
But still De Valera is greatly to blame
For shirking his part in the Patriot game

They told me how Connolly was shot in his chair,
His wounds from the fighting all bloody and bare
His fine body twisted, all battered and lame
They soon made me part of the patriot game

It's nearly two years since I wandered away
With the local battalion of the bold IRA,
For I read of our heroes, and wanted the same
To play out my part in the patriot game

And now as I lie here, my body all holes
I think of those traitors who bargained in souls
And I wish that my rifle had given the same
To those Quislings who sold out the patriot game

Tune: One Morning In May, or God on Our Side
Copyright Clifford Music Co, Ltd
@Irish @rebel
recorded by Owen McBride and by Judy Collins
see also PATGAME2
filename[ PATGAME1
RG
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