The Gallant Men of Ninety-Eight | AI-Revived Irish Rebel Marching Song

A rousing early 20th-century tribute to the heroes of the 1798 Irish Rebellion, set to the marching air “Leather away the Wattle O”. All-male chorus and pounding parlor piano exactly as Volunteers and Gaelic League gatherings belted it out a hundred years ago. Pure blood-and-fire Irish spirit.

[Verse 1]
The spirit of our fathers bright
Inspires our hearts today,
Firm unite, and strike again
For God and right, as did the men of Ninety-Eight.
When Wexford and New Ross could tell,
And Tubberneering and Carnew,
Where many a Saxon foeman fell,
And many an Irish soldier died, too!

[Chorus]
Hurrah, brave boys, we vow to stand
Together for our fatherland,
As did the bold devoted band,
The gallant men of Ninety-Eight!

[Verse 2]
Their altars and their homes they rose
To guard from ruthless tyrant foes,
Who reeled beneath the vengeful blows
For freedom dealt in Ninety-Eight.
The patriots’ blood that reddened deep
The soil where fell they in their gore,
Their mem’ry green and fresh shall keep
Within our bosoms’ inmost core.

[Chorus]
Hurrah, brave boys, we vow to stand
Together for our fatherland,
As did the bold devoted band,
The gallant men of Ninety-Eight!

[Verse 3]
Then, let us here give three times three,
For those who fought for liberty,
As slaves could never bend the knee
The free-born men of Ninety-Eight!
Not they that bondsmen’s yoke could bear,
When one stout pike could deal a blow,
Then by their memory let us swear
To meet once more the hated foe!

[Final Chorus]
Hurrah, brave boys, we vow to stand
Together for our fatherland,
As did the bold devoted band,
The gallant men of Ninety-Eight!
Ninety-Eight!

Perfect when the heart beats green and the fist is clenched.

From Echoes of Yesteryear. Subscribe for more rebel fire.


#IrishRebelSong #1798Rebellion #NinetyEight #LeatherAwayTheWattleO #IrishVolunteers