The Belfast Brigade (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

The Belfast Brigade (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

Stream "Songs of the Sea" (Album) now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/set...

All My Links: https://linktr.ee/Sethswatkinsmusic

The Belfast Brigade is an Irish folk song about the Belfast Brigade of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the 1st, or West Belfast battalion, during the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s. To start the song, 1st Viscount Craigavon, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, is accused of sending the 'Specials' or Ulster Special Constabulary, to 'shoot the people down'. This is a reference to the large number of Catholics who were killed by the Special Constabulary in the conflict. The song is sung to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Lyrics:
Craigavon sent the Specials out, to shoot the people down,
He thought the IRA were dead, in dear old Belfast town,
He got a rude awakening, with rifle and grenade,
When he met the first Battalion, of the Belfast Brigade.

[chorus]
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men who fought and died,
"No surrender" is the war cry of the Belfast Brigade.

The soldiers came from Holywood,
Equipped with English guns,
There were men by the thousand,
Ammunition by the ton,
But when they got to Belfast,
They were seriously delayed,
By the fighting First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.

[chorus]
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men who fought and died,
"No surrender" is the war cry of the Belfast Brigade.

We have no ammunition,
Or no armored tanks to show,
But we're ready to defend ourselves,
No matter where we go,
We're out for our Republic,
Orange men they live in dread,
"No surrender" is the War cry
Of the Belfast Brigade.

[chorus]
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men who fought and died,
"No surrender" is the war cry of the Belfast Brigade.

Come all you gallant Irishmen,
And join the IRA
We'll strike a blow for freedom,
When it comes a certain day,
You know your country's History,
And the sacrifice it made,
Come join the First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.

[chorus] x2
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men who fought and died,
"No surrender" is the war cry of the Belfast Brigade.

Glory to the memory of the men who fought and died,
"No surrender" is the war cry of the Belfast Brigade.