Lyr Req: The Boys from the County Cork

Subject: Help!!!!
From: GUEST,Brian O'Connell
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:31 AM

There is an old Irish Ballad I can't find anywhere. The chorus is

"Meet the boys from Kerry, meet the boys from Claire. From Dublin, Wicklow, Donnegal, and the Boys from Ol' Kildare. Some came from a land across the sea, from Boston and New York, But the boys who beat the Black and Tan are the boys from the County Cork."

I can't find the verses. Please help. You can e-mail at

[e-mail]

Slainte & Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Help!!!!
From: raredance
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 12:27 PM

You should put some key words related to the song in the thread title to attract folks who may have some knowledge of the song you are seeking. The generic heading might lead people to think you are after a Beatles song.

rich r

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Help!!!!
From: fulurum
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:05 PM

the name of the song is Boys From the County cork. the clancys and tommy makem have recorded it on there "in concert" album and also on there 'songs of ireland and beyond" album

Subject: Lyr Add: BOYS FROM THE COUNTY CORK
From: fulurum
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:42 PM

Well, you've read in history's pages the heroes of great fame,
The deeds they done, the battles won, and how they made their name;
But the boys who made the history for the orange, white and green
Were the boys who died in Dublin Town in 1916.

Meet the boys from Kerry; meet the boys from Clare;
From Dublin, Wicklow, Donegal, and the boys from ol' Kildare.
Some came from the land beyond the sea from Boston and New York,
But the boys who beat the black and tans were the boys from County Cork.

Now Cork gave us McSweeny, a martyr for to die;
And Wicklow gave us Dwyer in the days so long gone by;
And Dublin gave us Padraic Pearse, McBride, and Cathal Bru;
And America gave us Devalar (de Valera) to lead old Ireland through.

Chorus: Meet the boys from Kerry....

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BOYS FROM THE COUNTY CORK (McNulty)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jul 13 - 04:54 PM

My transcription from The Internet Archive (This song is item #8 on that page.):


THE BOYS FROM THE COUNTY CORK
As recorded by The McNulty Family, Decca (USA) 12087A, 18-Feb-1937.

You find in history's pages heroes of great fame,
The deeds they've done, the battles won, and how they made their name,
But the boys who gave the history to the orange, white and green
Are the boys who died in Dublin town in 1916.

Some of them came from Kerry, and some from the county Clare,
From Dublin, Wicklow, Donegal, and some from old Kildare,
Some from the land beyond the sea, from Boston and New York,
Who helped to lick the black and tans with the boys from the county Cork.

Cork gave us McSweeny, who martyr-ed[?] did die.
Wicklow gave us Michael Dwyer in days now long gone by.
Dublin gave us Padraic Pearse, McBride, and Cathal Bru,
And America gave us de Valer', a leader staunch and true.

To lead the boys from Kerry, to lead the boys from Clare,
From Dublin, Wicklow, Donegal, and the boys from old Kildare,
The boys from the land beyond the sea, from Boston and New York,
Who helped to lick the black and tans with the boys from the county Cork.

We seem to be divided; I really don't know why.
We've a glorious list of martyrs who for Ireland's cause did die;
So why not get together and join in unity
The north, the south, the east and west, and soon see Ireland free.

And meet the boys from Kerry, and meet the boys from Clare,
From Dublin, Wicklow, Donegal, and the boys from old Kildare,
The boys from the land beyond the sea, from Boston and New York,
Who helped to lick the black and tans with the boys from the county Cork.