“Kevin Barry” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Kevin Barry” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Performer: Paul Robeson.
Lyrics: Anonymous.
Tune: “Rolling Home to Dear Old Ireland.”
Early on a Monday morning, high upon the gallows tree,
Kevin Barry gave his young life for the cause of liberty.
Just a lad of eighteen summers, yet there’s no one can deny
As he went to death that morning, he proudly held his head on high.
“Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog
For I fought for Ireland’s freedom on that cold September morn.
All around that little bak’ry, we fought them hand to hand.
Shoot me like an Irish soldier for I fought to free Ireland.”
Another martyr for old Ireland, another martyr for the Crown!
Brutal laws to crush the Irish could not keep their spirit down.
Lads like Barry are no cowards. From their foes, they do not fly
For their bravery always has been Ireland’s cause to live or die.
“Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog
For I fought for Ireland’s freedom on that cold September morn.
All around that little bak’ry, we fought them hand to hand.
Shoot me like an Irish soldier for I fought to free Ireland.”
Just before he faced the hangman in his lonely prison cell,
British soldiers tortured Barry just because he would not tell
All the names of his companions, other things they wished to know.
“Turn informer and we’ll free you.” Proudly, Barry answered, “No!”
“Shoot me like an Irish soldier. Do not hang me like a dog
For I fought for Ireland’s freedom on that cold September morn.
All around that little bak’ry, we fought them hand to hand.
Shoot me like an Irish soldier for I fought to free Ireland.”