Irish Soldier Laddie Lyrics
The BarleycornMusic Video
Irish Soldier Laddie
'Twas a morning in July
I was walking thro' Tipperary
When I heard a battle cry
From the mountains over head
As I looked up in the sky
Saw an Irish soldier laddie
He looked at me right fearlessly and said,
Will you stand in the band like a true Irish man
And go and fight the forces of the crown.
Will you march with O'Neill to an Irish battle field
For tonight we're going to free old Wexford town
Said I to that soldier boy
Would you take me to your captain
It would be my pride and joy
For to march with you today.
My young brother fell at Cork
And my son at Enniscorthy
And to the noble captain I did say
I will stand in the band like a true Irish man
And go and fight the forces of the crown.
I will march with O'Neill to an Irish battle field
For tonight we're going to free old Wexford town
As we marched back from the field
In the shadow of the evening
With our banners flying low
To the memory of our dead
We turned on to our homes
But without my soldier laddie
Yet I never will forget those words he said.
I will stand in the band like a true Irish man
And go and fight the forces of the crown.
I will march with O'Neill to an Irish battle field
For tonight we're going to free old Wexford town
Will you stand in the band like a true Irish man
And go and fight the forces of the crown.
Will you march with O'Neill to an Irish battle field
For tonight we're going to free old Wexford town
Song Details
🎶 Songwriter:
Patrick Joseph "Paddy Joe" McGuigan (8/12/1939 – 17/03/2014) - Irish traditional musician and songwriter born in Belfast. He played with the group Barleycorn and wrote several rebel songs including, The Men Behind The Wire, The Boys Of The Old Brigade, Freedom Walk, and Bring Them Home. He died at age of 74 after a short illness.
📝 Song Brief:
The singer meets a young Irish soldier who asks him to join in the battle and march with O'Neill to free Wexford town from the English invaders. He tells the soldier to take him to his captain as it would be his pride and joy to march with the army as he had already lost a younger brother who fell at Cork, and his son at Enniscorthy.
After the battle, the soldiers that were left were marching home flying their flag low in memory of the fallen - with the singer lamenting the death of the young Irish soldier laddie.
📖 Glossary:- Tipperary
A county in the province of Munster, Ireland. Known for its rural landscape and its role in Irish history, including the 1798 Rebellion. - O’Neill
Refers to the O’Neill family, historically powerful Gaelic chieftains. In rebel songs, “march with O’Neill” often alludes to leaders of Irish resistance movements. - Wexford
A county in southeast Ireland. It was a major centre of the 1798 Rebellion, with several key battles fought there. - croppy
A term used during the 1798 Rebellion to describe Irish rebels who cut their hair short in the French revolutionary style. The word was often used by British forces. - Cork
A county in southwest Ireland and one of the largest in the country. Known for its strong nationalist history and involvement in various uprisings. - Enniscorthy
A town in County Wexford. It was the site of significant fighting during the 1798 Rebellion, including the Battle of Vinegar Hill. - the Crown
A term referring to the British government or British rule in Ireland, especially in historical or political contexts.
🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song
👥 Covers:
The Davitts, The Irish Ramblers, The Irish Rebels, Brier, The Fighting Men From Crossmaglen, Dublin City Ramblers, Patsy Watchorn, Derek Warfield, Gary Og, Danny Doyle, Charlie & The Bhoys and many more.
🎤 Featured Artists: The Barleycorn
💿 Album: The Barleycorn in America
Released: 1973
Country: US
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Rex Records
