I've transcribed the lyrics of the song, as composed by TP Cummins, from the 1911 newspaper original. I think they are excellent. The words are aimed at an individual 'lad' rather than to 'lads' in general. The use of the word 'brae' in the original has become 'bay' in subsequent versions - the original 'brae' is a very common word for a lane or small road in the Glens of Antrim. Quite a few other differences are also present.

An Ulsterman I’m proud to be,
From Antrim Glens I come;
And tho’ I labour by the sea,
I’ve followed flag and drum:
I’ve heard the martial tread of men,
I've seen them fight and die;
Ay, lad, I well remember when
We followed Henry Joy.

I hung my nets upon a tree,
I hid my sails away;
I dragged my boat out from the sea,
And scanned the moon-lit brae.
The boys were “out,” the red-coats too;
I kissed my wife good-bye,
And through the glade in the greenwood shade
I marched with Henry Joy.

Ah, lad, for Ireland ‘twas we fought-
For sire and home we bled;
Though swords were few, our arms were true,
And five to one lay dead.
Ah, many a lassie missed her love,
And mother mourned her boy,
For youth was strong in the dashing throng
That followed Henry Joy.

Our tyrants stood at Antrim town,
They tore our ranks with ball--
But with a cheer and pikes to clear
We swept them o'er the wall.
How pike and sabre flashed that day!
We won !- but, lost-- ah, why?
No matter, lad, I fought my way
And shielded Henry Joy.

In Belfast town they built a tree,
And red-coats mustered there;
And I saw him come as the beat of the drum
Rolled from the barrack square.
He kissed his sister, climbed aloft,
He waved a last good-bye.
Ah, God ! he died-- I turned and cried--
They murdered Henry Joy.