The Boys of the Old Brigade

The Boys of the Old Brigade is an Irish Republican folk song about the Irish Republican Army of the Irish War of Independence 1919-1921.

The song consists of a father, a veteran of the Easter Rising of Irish Republicans, telling his son nostalgically about his old comrades on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday, the anniversary of the Easter Rising is the Republican day of commemoration for those who died in the service of Republican ideals. The song is sentimental rather than aggressive in tone and each chorus ends with the Irish language phrase "a ghra ' mo chroi" (love in my heart), I long to see, the Boys of the Old Brigade".

Lyrics

V1: Oh, father why are you so sad

On this bright Easter morn’

When Irish men are proud and glad

Of the land where they were born?

V2: Oh, son, I see in mem’ry's view

A far off distant day

When being just a lad like you

I joined the IRA.

Chorus: Where are the lads that stood with me

When history was made?

A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see

The boys of the old brigade.

V3: From hills and farms a call to arms

Was heard by one and all.

And from the glen came brave young men

To answer Ireland’s call.

V4: T'was long ago we faced the foe,

The old brigade and me,

And by my side they fought and died

That Ireland might be free.

Chorus: Where are the lads that stood with me

When history was made?

A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see

The boys of the old brigade.

V5: And now, my boy, I’ve told you why

On Easter morn’ I sigh,

For I recall my comrades all

And dark old days gone by.

V6: I think of men who fought in glen

With rifle and grenade.

May heaven keep the men who sleep

From the ranks of the old brigade.

Chorus:Where are the lads that stood with me

When history was made?

A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see

The boys of the old brigade.

http://martindardis.com/id406.html Guitar chords and video of Pat McGuigan's song