Irish Soldier Laddie - The Davitts

Twas a morning in July

I was walking to Tipperary

When I heard a battle cry

From the mountains over head

As I looked up in the sky

I saw an Irish soldier laddie

He looked at me right fearlessly and said

Will ye stand in the band like a true Irish man

And go and fight the forces of the crown?

Will ye march with O’Neill to an Irish battle field?

For tonight we go to free old Wexford town!

Said I to that soldier boy

«Won't you take me to your captain

T’would be my pride and joy

For to march with you today

My young brother fell in Cork

And my son at Innes Carthay!»

Unto the noble captain I did say

As we marched back from the field

In the shadow of the evening

With our banners flying low

To the memory of our dead

We returned unto our homes

But without my soldier laddie

Yet I never will forget those words he said