Erin Go Bragh Lyrics
The Wolfe TonesMusic Video
Erin Go Bragh
I'll sing you a song of a row in the town,
When the green flag went up and the Crown flag came down,
'Twas the neatest and sweetest thing ever you saw,
And they played that great game they called Erin Go Bragh.
God bless gallant Pearse and his comrades who died
Tom Clark, MacDonagh, MacDermott, McBride,
And here's to James Connolly who gave one hurrah,
And faced the machine guns for Erin Go Bragh.
Now one of our leaders was down in Ring's end,
For the honour of Ireland to uphold and defend,
He had no veteran soldiers but volunteers raw,
Playing sweet Mauser music for Erin Go Bragh.
Old Ceannt and his comrades like lions at bay,
From the South Dublin Union poured death and dismay,
But what was then often the invaders men saw
All the dead khaki soldiers on Erin Go Bragh.
A great foreign captain was raving that day,
Saying, "Give me one hour and I'll blow you away,"
But a big Mauser bullet got stuck in his jaw,
And he died of lead poisoning on Erin Go Bragh.
A glory to Dublin, to her we renown,
In the long generations her fame will go down,
And the children will tell how their forefathers saw,
The red blaze of freedom on Erin Go Bragh.
Song Details
🎶 Writer: Peadar Kearney - Irish republican, songwriter, and poet best known for writing “The Soldier’s Song,” which later became the Irish national anthem.
📝 Song Brief:
A spirited rebel song recalling a clash in Dublin when the green flag was raised and the Crown flag was pulled down. The narrator describes the tension, bravery, and determination of those who stood up for Ireland, capturing both the energy of the moment and the pride carried in the phrase “Ireland forever.”
- Erin Go Bragh - allegiance to Ireland - “Ireland Forever”
- Patrick Pearse (1879–1916):
Patrick (Pádraig) Pearse was one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. A teacher, writer, and barrister, he served as President of the Provisional Government during the Rising. He was executed at Kilmainham Gaol. - Tom Clarke (1858–1916):
Thomas J. Clarke was a veteran republican and one of the principal organisers of the Easter Rising. He was the first signatory of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and was executed in 1916. - Thomas MacDonagh (1878–1916):
A poet, playwright, and teacher, Thomas MacDonagh was one of the signatories of the Proclamation and a commander during the Easter Rising. He was executed at Kilmainham Gaol. - Seán Mac Diarmada (1883–1916):
Seán Mac Diarmada (MacDermott) was a key organiser of the Rising and a member of the IRB Military Council. He was executed for his role in the events of Easter Week. - John MacBride (1868–1916):
Major John MacBride was an Irish nationalist who had previously fought with the Irish Brigade during the Boer War. Although not involved in planning the Rising, he joined the fighting when it began and was executed afterward. - James Connolly (1868–1916):
James Connolly was a trade union leader, socialist, and commander of the Dublin forces during the Easter Rising. Wounded in the fighting, he was executed while unable to stand, becoming one of the most widely remembered figures of 1916. - Éamonn Ceannt (1881–1916) :
Éamonn Ceannt was one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and a signatory of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. A committed nationalist and a talented musician, he served as a commander during the Rising. He was executed at Kilmainham Gaol for his role in the events of Easter Week. - Mauser music: A colloquial phrase referring to the sound of gunfire from a Mauser rifle, a German‑made firearm widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Irish rebel songs, the term is often used figuratively to evoke the noise and tension of street fighting or uprisings.
🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song
👥 Covers: The Wolfe Tones (featured), Maeve Mulvanny, Declan Hunt, Fee McGorman, Dominic Behan, Eugene McEldowney, John Hancock...
🎤 Featured Artists: The Wolfe Tones - Irish rebel and traditional music band formed in 1963, originating from Dublin, Ireland.
💿 Album: Rifles Of The I.R.A
Released: 1969
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Dolphin Records
🌿 You may also like:
Back To Top Back to The WOLFE TONES
