LIKE  JOE  McCANN

( On an April day in 1972 the British murdered an

un-armed IRA volunteer. His name was Joe McCann. )

by  SEAMUS  ROBINSON   © 1973

 

O mother I have seen you cry ,                      

But ne’er like this before .

O mother mine then tell me why

You weep so sad and sore ?

My son, she said, your father’s dead ,              

Because he loved Ireland .

Where e’er you go, be proud to know

That you’re of Joe McCann .

 

The young boy turned – his eyes they burned ,

And tears of sorrow fell .

For in his heart ‘twas hard to part

From him he loved so well .

O mother I shall ne’er deny ,

Or shame my father’s clan .

In weal or woe ‘gainst Ireland’s foe ,

I’ll fight like Joe McCann .

 

The mother dried the tears she’d cried ,

And softly kissed his face .

And to her breast, the child she pressed ,

And held in fond embrace .

Let it be vowed we’ll e’er be proud

And true unto our land .

In weal or woe ‘gainst Ireland’s foe ,

We’ll fight like Joe McCann .

          *          *          *

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