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The song was written by T. D. Sullivan in 1867, and first published December 7th 1867, inspired by Edmund O’Meager Condon’s speech on the Manchester Docks. When the three Manchester Martyrs (Michael Larkin, William Phillip Allen, and Michael O’Brien) were executed, the song was adopted as the Fenian movement’s anthem. This song shares its tune with “Tramp Tramp Tramp (The Prisoner’s Hope)” a song reportedly written in 1863 by George F. Root in response to conditions in the Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prison during the American Civil War. - from Wikipedia, accessed 5/4/08
Gotta have a Rebel song or two!
God Save Ireland
by T. D. Sullivan
High [G] upon the gallows tree swung the [C] noble-hearted [G] three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their [D] bloom
But they [G] met him face to face with the [C] courage of their [G] race
And they [G] went with souls un- [D] daunted to their [G] doom
(Chorus
[G] God save Ireland, said the heroes
[D] God save Ireland, said they all
Whether [G] on the scaffold high
Or the [C] battlefield we [G] die
Oh, what [G] matter when for [D] Erin dear we [G] fall)
Girt around with cruel foes, still their courage proudly rose,
For they thought of hearts that loved them far and near;
Of the millions true and brave o’er the ocean’s swelling wave,
And the friends in holy Ireland ever dear.
Chorus
Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England’s fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last
Chorus
Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand
Chorus
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their [D] bloom
But they [G] met him face to face with the [C] courage of their [G] race
And they [G] went with souls un- [D] daunted to their [G] doom
(Chorus
[G] God save Ireland, said the heroes
[D] God save Ireland, said they all
Whether [G] on the scaffold high
Or the [C] battlefield we [G] die
Oh, what [G] matter when for [D] Erin dear we [G] fall)
Girt around with cruel foes, still their courage proudly rose,
For they thought of hearts that loved them far and near;
Of the millions true and brave o’er the ocean’s swelling wave,
And the friends in holy Ireland ever dear.
Chorus
Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England’s fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last
Chorus
Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand
Chorus