( Kieran Nugent ( IRA ) was imprisoned in September 1976.
He refused to wear prison uniform saying that they would have to nail
it to his back. Instead he wore a blanket and thus was born the blanket
protest. Kieran Nugent died
by
PÁDRAIG (DRUMMER)
ROBINSON © 1977
They said I was a criminal for
fighting
They said I was a criminal and
gave me prison clothes.
I said I was a soldier – I’d
wear no convict gear,
And so today I am, my lads, a
H-Block Blanketeer.
( chorus )
Oh they may break my body but I will show
no fear,
For they’ll never break the spirit of the H-Block Blanketeer.
My country in bondage, my
heart it was so sad,
So I joined up with my
comrades when I was just a lad.
But Freedom is a precious
thing – the price to pay is dear,
And so today I am, my lads, a
H-Block Blanketeer.
The “screws” are my tormentors
but they’ll be made to pay,
When they’re face to face and
gun to gun with the I.R.A.
For
And justice will be done, my
lads, for the H-Block Blanketeer.
* * *