The Tri-Coloured Ribbon - The Wolfe Tones

I had a true love, if ever a girl had one,

I had a true love, a brave lad was he,

And one fine Easter Monday, with his gallant comrades,

He started away for to set Ireland free.

So all around my hat I wear a tricolour ribbon,

All around my hat until death comes to me,

And if anybody’s asking why I’m wearing that ribbon,

It’s all for my true love I ne’er more shall see!

He whispered: «Goodbye love, old Ireland is calling,

High over Dublin our Tri-colour flies,

In the streets of the city the foeman is falling,

And the wee birds are singing 'Old Ireland Arise'.»

So all around my hat I wear a tricolour ribbon,

All around my hat until death comes to me,

And if anybody’s asking why I’m wearing that ribbon,

It’s all for my true love I ne’er more shall see!

His bandolier around him, his bright bayonet shining,

His short service rifle, a beauty to see,

There was joy in his eyes, though he left me repining,

And started away to set Ireland free.

So all around my hat I wear a tricolour ribbon,

All around my hat until death comes to me,

And if anybody’s asking why I’m wearing that ribbon,

It’s all for my true love I ne’er more shall see!

In prayer and in waiting the dark days passed over,

The roar of the guns brought no message to me,

I prayed for Old Ireland, I prayed for my true love,

That he might be safe and Old Ireland be free.

So all around my hat I wear a tricolour ribbon,

All around my hat until death comes to me,

And if anybody’s asking why I’m wearing that ribbon,

It’s all for my true love I ne’er more shall see!

The struggle has ended, they brought me the story,

The last whispered message he sent unto me:

«I was true to the land, love, I fought for her glory,

And gave up my life to set Ireland free!»