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GUEST,Guest, Big Tim Lyr Req: Scarriff Martyrs (24) Lyr Add: THE SCARRIFF MARTYRS 18 Sep 05


The version in "One Voice" is almost identical to the one in the CM Songbook: both the usual seven verses. "Voice" changes the date from 4th to 12th [of November 1920]; both are wrong! The events began on 16 November 1920 and culminated just after midnight on 17 November, when the four men were shot in cold blood. Here is another, earlier? less polished version:

THE SCARRIFF MARTYRS (AUTHOT NOT KNOWN)

Irish martys you are many,
Since the Saxons trod our land,
Irish people you have suffered,
At the tyrants hand.

Who can emulate those heroes,
And their slaves seven hundred years,
Or who can tell of the cruel deaths,
Or prevent the flowing tears.

Of those we knew and cherished,
Have been lion's prey,
And lots of we who yesterday,
Are cold and stiff today.

Their death sad story,
Who can write,
Oh, Killaloe Bridge if you could only witness,
And answer to this tragic sight.

A cry to God for mercy,
And a cry for their souls to save,
And a rallying shot from the martys rang,
The work of English knaves.

It's foolness [foolishness?] who can forget,
It's cowardice who can name,
My God we will avenge them,
Ah, Scarriff martyrs, your blood has flown.

Young hearted brave Michael McMahon,
What can be said of you?
Fluent Irish speaker,
Character, noble and true.

Alfred Rodgers you were destined,
For a lovely cold land,
With an innocent face so dovely shone,
That soul so pure and grand.

And Egan you have done your part,
For the souls you fought to save,
Erin shall bless your efforts,
Remembered shall be your grave.

Remember indeed in Scarriff churchyard today,
Forgotten not by the Umbo race,
And Jehova [sic] will send through England,
A shock that will wake her,
And remember the night she shot our heroes,
On the bridge of Killaloe.


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