Henry Joy McCracken Lyrics

An Ulsterman I am proud to be From the Antrim Glens I come. Though I earn my living by the sea I have followed fife and drum. I have heard the martial tramp of men I've seen them fight and die. It's well I do remember when I followed Henry Joy. I pulled my boat up from the sea I hid my sails away, I hung my nets on a greenwood tree And scanned the moonlit bay. The boys were out, and the Redcoats too, I kissed my wife goodbye; And in the shade of the greenwood glade I followed Henry Joy. It was for Ireland's cause we fought; In Ireland's cause we bled, Though our hearts beat true, our pikes were few And five to one lay dead, And many a lassie mourned her lad, And mother mourned her boy; For youth was strong in that gallant throng That followed Henry Joy. In Belfast town, they built a tree And the Redcoats mustered there I saw him come to the beat of a drum Down to the barrack's square He kissed his sister, went aloft He bade his last goodbye And as he died, I turned and cried They have murdered Henry Joy!