Here are the lyrics to a song by Mary O'neill and Matt Sullivan from the Wannabe Texans, a San Francisco band from the late 80s. The rest of their music is great also. Well worth seeking out.


San Patricio's Battalion

Captain John O'Reilly was handsome and smiling
But he'd had enough of lyin' for the Yanks
So he took off with his men out of Texas and down in
To old Mexico to be hung by his neck

It weren't the senioritas or lots of cheap tequila
That sent these Irishmen to meet their deaths
It was something in their blood that couldn't stand the shoves
Of injustice on a nation of free men

Saint Patricio's battalion chose to fight their own damn battle
And not fight another dirty US war
They said we're Irishmen who know that Viva Mexico
Is an echo of the cry Free Ireland

Patrick and Enrique disgusted down and bleeding
United and took aim at Uncle Sam
It was a matter of their feeling but the bullets kept on zingin'
And they died there on the burning desert sands

General Winfield Scott with a medal on his heart
Said I'll make these rebels pay unto the end
So up on Chapultapec he hung the rebels by the neck
That's why today old Texas isn't Mex

Saint Patricio's battalion chose to fight their own damn battle
And not fight another dirty US war
They said we're Irishmen who know that Viva Mexico
Is an echo of the cry Free Ireland