Henry Joy McCracken Songtext
von Declan Hunt

An Ulsterman I am proud to be from the Antrim glens I′ve come
And though I labour by the sea I have followed flag and drum
I have heard the martial tramp of men I've seen them fight and die
Alas do I remember when I followed Henry Joy

I put my boat in from the sea and I hid my sails away
I put my net under a tree and I scanned the moonlit bay
The boys were out, the redcoats too, I kissed my wife goodbye
And there beneath that green wood shade I followed Henry Joy


Well we fought for Ireland′s glory then for home and sire we bled
Though our numbers few, our hearts beat true, and five to one lay dead
And many a mother mourned her lad and many a man his boy
For youth was strong in the dashing throng that followed Henry Joy

In Belfast town they built a tree and the redcoats mustered there
I heard him come as the beating of the
Drum did sound o'er the barrack square
He kissed his sister, went aloft and said a sad goodbye
Alas he died, I turned and I cried: 'You have murdered Henry Joy′