Michael Collins (The Price of Freedom) Lyrics
The Drunken BodhránsMusic Video
Michael Collins (The Price of Freedom)
They hunted him by lamplight, in streets that knew his name.
No uniform, no open war, just whispers, cold and flame.
He learned the city's breathing, its alleys, doors, and hours.
And struck an empire from the dark with paper, lead and nerve.
They called it murder, called it fear, he called it cutting chains.
A war of letters, couriers and measured blooded aims.
No speeches dressed in victory, no flags before the fight.
Just orders passed from hand to hand and silence sewn in night.
This is the price of freedom paid in sleepless days.
No clean hands in a dirty war, no easy, righteous way.
You don't win back a stolen land by praying it will change.
You take it inch by bitter inch and wear the cost it takes.
They signed the truce, they split the ground, they drew a broken line.
And called it peace with shaking hands and borrowed fragile time.
Some called him traitor to the cause, some swore he'd gone too far.
But Collins knew that unfinished wars just teach you how to starve.
This is the price of freedom paid in sleepless days.
No clean hands in a dirty war, no easy righteous way.
You don't win back a stolen land by praying it will change.
You take it inch by bitter inch and wear the cost it takes.
The war turned inward, brothers split by uniforms and blame.
The gunshots echoed closer now, but sounded just the same.
He drove alone through country roads, no guards, no borrowed crown.
A soldier of a winning war, shot dead on Irish ground.
This was the price of freedom, not sung, not neatly told.
A nation born from compromise and blood not yet gone cold.
They buried more than just a man that day beside the road.
They buried all the simple dreams of victories untold.
No statue holds the whole of him,
No verdict ever will.
He won a war, he lost the peace.
And Ireland argues still.
Song Details
✍️ Written by: Mikael Thysell - contemporary songwriter
📝Song Brief:
Michael Collins (The Price of Freedom) is a modern rebel ballad that pays tribute to one of the most influential figures of the Irish War of Independence. The song follows Collins through the tense years of guerrilla conflict, portraying the burden he carried and the risks he faced as a leader. Its lyrics reflect on the price paid for Ireland’s freedom and the legacy Collins left behind after his death.
Michael Collins (1890–1922) was an Irish revolutionary leader from County Cork. He rose to prominence during the fight for independence from Britain and became one of the central architects of the Irish Free State. His early life was shaped by rural West Cork and a strong sense of Irish identity.
⚔️ His Role in the War of Independence
Collins is best known for transforming the Irish independence movement through:
- Guerrilla warfare strategy — He organised intelligence networks and coordinated the IRA’s operations in Dublin, making British rule increasingly untenable.
- The “Squad” and intelligence war — He directed targeted operations against British intelligence, which became a decisive factor in the conflict.
- Financial leadership — As Minister for Finance, he raised funds for the underground government and kept the movement functioning.
His strategic mind and ability to operate in secrecy made him one of the most effective leaders of the era.
🕊️ The Treaty and Civil War
Collins was a key negotiator of the Anglo‑Irish Treaty in 1921, which created the Irish Free State but required an oath to the British Crown. He believed it was “the freedom to achieve freedom,” a stepping stone toward full independence.
- Pro‑Treaty forces, led by Collins. These were IRA members who supported the Treaty because they believed:
- It gave Ireland substantial freedom (the Free State)
- It was a stepping stone to full independence
- Rejecting it would restart a hopeless war
- Anti‑Treaty forces, who opposed compromise. These were IRA members who rejected the Treaty because:
- It required an oath to the British Crown
- It accepted partition
- It fell short of the fully independent republic they had fought for
This division led to the Irish Civil War.
⚔️ What this meant in practice
- Both sides considered themselves the legitimate IRA.
- Both believed they were defending the true Irish Republic.
- Former comrades ended up fighting each other in the Civil War (1922–1923).
The Pro‑Treaty side became the National Army of the new Irish Free State, but many of its officers were still IRA veterans.
The Anti‑Treaty side continued calling itself the IRA, refusing to recognise the Free State.
⚡ His Death and Legacy
Collins was killed in an ambush at Béal na Bláth in County Cork on 22 August 1922, aged just 31. He was travelling with a small Free State convoy through West Cork when they were ambushed by Anti‑Treaty IRA fighters. The ambush was triggered after Collins’s group stopped earlier in the day to ask directions from Dinny Long, who was himself an Anti‑Treaty IRA member. An ambush was then prepared for the convoy’s return journey.
When the shooting began, Collins refused to order a retreat and instead returned fire. During this exchange, he was struck in the head and killed instantly. His death ended the life of a leader many believed would have shaped Ireland’s future in profound ways.
His legacy lives on because he embodied:- Courage and strategic brilliance
- A willingness to compromise for peace
- A vision for a modern, independent Ireland
🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song
🎤 Featured Artists: The Drunken Bodhráns - a modern Irish‑folk project known for blending traditional themes with contemporary production, creating original songs and re‑imagined versions of classic Irish tunes.
💿 Album: Ireland Never Forgets
Released: 23 January 2026
Format: Digital download / Streaming
Label: Tysse records
