It was 1845 when I left Clifden town
I was just about the only one left standing on the ground
The clothes upon my back and the instrument in my hands
Were all I had to take with me to that far-off land
When I got off the coffin ship, to Manhattan Isle
It wasn’t long before I’d find myself marching single-file
They said now you’re an American, take this uniform and gun
We’ll show you Paddies how the west gets to be won
Prove you’re patriotic, join the fight for annexation
Of most of this neighboring sovereign nation
I thought I can’t be part of this, so with John Riley I did go
I was the piper for the San Patricios
There’s no mention of me that history records
But I was just behind the front lines fingering the chords
I could have put the pipes down but my comrades said “play on”
It’s what kept them going, with so many dead and gone
I played “Skibbereen” loud and long and slow
I was the piper for the San Patricios
In a flagging moment I played “Rising of the Moon”
And then watched the men revive for the battle coming soon
After Churubusco, so many good men dead
When our fort was overrun, I was one of those who fled
I lived out the rest of my days in the land of Mexico
I was the piper for the San Patricios
I was just about the only one left standing on the ground
The clothes upon my back and the instrument in my hands
Were all I had to take with me to that far-off land
When I got off the coffin ship, to Manhattan Isle
It wasn’t long before I’d find myself marching single-file
They said now you’re an American, take this uniform and gun
We’ll show you Paddies how the west gets to be won
Prove you’re patriotic, join the fight for annexation
Of most of this neighboring sovereign nation
I thought I can’t be part of this, so with John Riley I did go
I was the piper for the San Patricios
There’s no mention of me that history records
But I was just behind the front lines fingering the chords
I could have put the pipes down but my comrades said “play on”
It’s what kept them going, with so many dead and gone
I played “Skibbereen” loud and long and slow
I was the piper for the San Patricios
In a flagging moment I played “Rising of the Moon”
And then watched the men revive for the battle coming soon
After Churubusco, so many good men dead
When our fort was overrun, I was one of those who fled
I lived out the rest of my days in the land of Mexico
I was the piper for the San Patricios
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