The Irish Volunteer

The Irish Volunteer

My name is Tim McDonald, I'm a native of the Isle,I was born among old Erin's bogs when I was but a child.My father fought in " 'Ninety-eight," for liberty so dear;He fell upon old Vinegar Hill, like an Irish volunteer.Then raise the harp of Erin, boys, the flag we all revere--We'll fight and fall beneath its folds, like Irish volunteers!Chorus--Then raise the harp, etc.

When I was driven form my home by an oppressor's hand,I cut my sticks and greased my brogues, and came o'er to this land.I found a home an many friends, and some that I love dear;Be jabbers! I'll stick to them like bricks and an Irish volunteer.Then fill your glasses up, my boys, and drink a hearty cheer,To the land of our adoption and the Irish volunteer!Chorus--Then fill your glasses, etc.

Now when the traitors in the south commenced a warlike raid,I quickly then laid down my hod, to the devil went my spade!To a recruiting-office then I went, that happened to be near,And joined the good old "Sixty-ninth," like and Irish volunteer.Then fill the ranks and march away!--no traitors do we fear;We'll drive them all to blazes, says the Irish volunteer.Chorus--Then fill the ranks, etc.

When the Prince of Wales came over here, and made a hubbaboo,Oh, everybody turned out, you know, in gold and tinsel too;But then the good old Sixty-ninth didn't like these lords or peers--They wouldn't give a d--n for kings, the Irish volunteers!We love the land of Liberty, its laws we will revere,"But the divil take nobility!" says the Irish volunteer!Chorus--We love the land, etc.

Now if the traitors in the South should ever cross our roads,We'll drive them to the divil, as Saint Patrick did the toads;We'll give them all short nooses that come just below the ears,Made strong and good of Irish hemp by Irish volunteers.Then here's to brave McClellan, whom the army now reveres--He'll lead us on to victory, the Irish volunteers.Chorus--Then here's to brave, etc.

Now fill your glasses up, my boys, a toast come drink with me,May Erin's Harp and the Starry Flag united ever be;May traitors quake, and rebels shake, and tremble in their fears,When next they meet the Yankee boys and Irish volunteers!God bless the name of Washington! that name this land reveres;Success to Meagher and Nugent, and their Irish volunteers!Chorus--God bless the name, etc.