Kevin Barry

Originale

Versione inglese di Earl Robinson da “Earl Robinson Sings”, Folkways...

KEVIN BARRY In Mountjoy jail one Monday morning High upon the gallows tree, Kevin Barry gave his young life For the cause of liberty. Just a lad of eighteen summers, Still there's no one can deny, As he walked to death that morning, He proudly held his head on high. Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog, For I fought to free old Ireland On that still September morn. All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand, Shoot me like an Irish soldier, For I fought to free Ireland Just before he faced the hangman, In his dreary prison cell, British soldiers tortured Barry, Just because he would not tell. The names of his brave comrades, And other things they wished to know. Turn informer or we'll kill you Kevin Barry answered "No". Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog, For I fought to free old Ireland On that still September morn. All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand, Shoot me like an Irish soldier, For I fought to free Ireland Proudly standing to attention While he bade his last farewell To his broken hearted mother Whose grief no one can tell. For the cause he proudly cherished This sad parting had to be Then to death walked softly smiling That old Ireland might be free. Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog, For I fought to free old Ireland On that still September morn. All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand, Shoot me like an Irish soldier, For I fought to free Ireland Another martyr for old Ireland, Another murder for the crown, Whose brutal laws may kill the Irish, But can't keep their spirit down. Lads like Barry are no cowards. From the foe they will not fly. Lads like Barry will free Ireland, For her sake they'll live and die.

KEVIN BARRY Early on a Sunday morning High upon the gallows tree Kevin Barry gave his young life For the cause of liberty Only a lad of eighteen summers Yet there's no one can deny That he went to death that morning Nobly held his head on high. Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog, For I fought for Ireland’s freedom On that bright September morn. All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand Shoot me like an Irish soldier For I fought to free Ireland On that morning that they left him Down there in hs lonely cell British soldiers tortured Barry, Just because he would not tell Then the names of his brave companions, And other things they wished to know: “Turn informer and we’ll free you” Proudly Barry answered, "No!". Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog, For I fought for Ireland’s freedom On that bright September morn. All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand Shoot me like an Irish soldier For I fought to free Ireland