Kevin Barry - Lonnie Donegan

In Early hours one Sunday morning

High upon the gallows tree

Kevin Barry gave his young life

For the cause of liberty

Just a lad of eighteen summers

Yet no one can deny

As he walked to death that morning

He proudly held his head on high

Just before he faced the hangman

In his lonely prison cell

British soldiers tortured Barry

Just because he would not tell

The names of all your comrades

And other things they wished to know

«Turn informer or we’ll kill you»

Kevin proudly answered, «no»

Calmly standing to attention

While he bade his last farewell

To his broken hearted mother

Whose grief no one can tell

For the cause he proudly cherished

This sad parting had to be

Then to death walked softly smiling

That old Ireland might be free

Another martyr for old Ireland

Another murder for the crown

Whose brutal laws may kill the Irish

But can’t keep their spirit down

Lads like Barry are no cowards

From the foe they will not fly

Lads like Barry will free Ireland

For her sake they’ll live and die