The Men Behind the Wire lyrics
The DavittsMusic Video
The Men Behind the Wire
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
Through the little streets of Belfast, in the dark of early morn
British solders came a-running, wrecking little homes with scorn
Hear the sobs of crying children, dragging fathers from their beds
Beating sons while helpless mothers watched the blood fall from their heads
Armored 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 or jury nor indeed a crime at all
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
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
Proudly march behind our banner, firmly stand behind our men
We will have them free to help us, build a nation once again
All the people march together, proudly firmly on your way
Never fear or never falter 'til the boys are home to stay
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
But every man will stand behind the men behind the wire
Song Details
Songwriter: Paddy McGuigan from the band 'The Barleycorn'. He wrote it in 1971 as a direct response to the internment raids in Northern Ireland, and The Barleycorn were the first to record it.
Genre: Irish Rebel Song
Song Brief: A powerful ballad written during the early days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, telling of men taken from their homes and interned without trial. The song reflects the shock of the raids, the resilience of the families left behind, and the solidarity that grew within affected communities.
Glossary:
Cromwell - Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658)
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who rose to power during the English Civil Wars and eventually ruled as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was a Puritan commander of the New Model Army and played a central role in the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Cromwell remains one of the most divisive figures in Irish history due to the brutal military campaign he led in Ireland (1649–1650), which resulted in mass killings, land confiscations, and long‑lasting trauma. His rule reshaped political and religious life across the British Isles and left a legacy still debated today... read more at World History Encyclopedia
Featured Artists: The Davitts - Irish folk and ballad group known for performing energetic, crowd‑favourite songs drawn from the Irish ballad tradition.
Album: Celtic Anthems
Released: Jan 01, 2011
Country: Worldwide
Format: CD, Digital Download
Label: Prism Leisure
Related Songs on this Site:
- Only Our Rivers Run Free - A reflective song about oppression, identity, and the longing for freedom.
- The Fields of Athenry - A song about injustice, imprisonment, and separation.
- The Patriot Game - A stark, introspective look at political conflict and the personal cost of involvement.
- Joe McDonnell - Centres on imprisonment, hunger strike, and political resistance.
- Back Home in Derry - A narrative of transportation, injustice, and endurance.
