SEAN  McCAUGHEY

( Sean McCaughey died in Portlaoise prison, 11-May-1946, on

the 23rd day of hunger and thirst strike )

by

SEAMUS  ROBINSON   © SEAMUS ROBINSON 1967

 

 

In Portlaoise Jail Sean McCaughey has died;  

So is ended his long night.

By hunger strike he fought and tried

To win for Ireland Liberty’s light.

 

For five long years in that place he had lain,

Waiting for the coming dawn;

His body burned and tortured with pain,

‘Til death gave Freedom to gentle Sean.

 

{chorus} Oh Erin weep -- oh Erin cry --

               Strike thy breast at his name.

               A curse on those who let him die --

               Cruel their hearts -- great is their shame.

 

In Aughnacloy and Belfast too,

Heavy hearts cry out for Sean –

O he is dead that loved Roisin Dubh,

But in our memory he shall live on.

 

         {repeat chorus}

       {instrument break} 

 

In Milltown now our hero lies –

Flowers bloom around his grave;

O’er Divis hill the wild wind sighs –

For Sean who scorned to live a slave.

 

        {chorus twice}

 

play Sean McCaughey mp3 performed by SHEE-VAWN

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