The Boys of the Old Brigade
"The Boys of the Old Brigade" és una cançó rebel irlandesa escrita per Paddy McGuigan sobre l'Exèrcit Republicà Irlandès (Irish Republican Army, IRA) durant la Guerra d'Independència irlandesa (1919-1921),[1] i l'aniversari de l'Alçament de Pasqua.[2]
| Forma musical | cançó  |
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Lletra modifica
La cançó descriu un veterà de l'Alçament de Pasqua parlant a un jove sobre els seus companys a l'Exèrcit Republicà Irlandès. Cada una de les tornades acaba amb la frase en irlandès "a ghrá mo chroí (en irlandès), I long to see, the Boys of the Old Brigade" (és a dir, "amor del meu cor, espero veure als nois de l'antiga brigada").[2][3]
Oh, father why are you so sad
On this bright Easter morn'
When Irish men are proud and glad
Of the land that they were born?
Oh, son, I see in mem’ries few
Of far off distant days
When being just a lad like you
I joined the IRA
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
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
‘T wasn't long ago we faced a foe
The old brigade and me
And by my side they fought and died
That Ireland might be free
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
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
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
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