I heard this song on a rebel songs tape and my father says he thinks it is the Wolfe Tones. They only did three or four verses and the others I got from a songbook and a few others I got from a good friend who plays the song sometimes when we get together for a spree.

THE BANNA STRAND

'Twas on Good Friday morning all in the month of May.
A German ship was signaling beyond out in the bay:
"We have twenty thousand rifles all ready for to land."
But no answering signal did come from the lonely Banna Strand.

"No signal answers from the shore," Sir Roger sadly said.
"No comrades here to welcome me. Alas! They must be dead.
But I must do my duty and at once I mean to land."
So in a small boat pulled ashore on the lonely Banna Strand.

The German ships were lying there with rifles in galore.
Up came a British ship and spoke. No Germans reached the shore.
"You are our empire's enemy so we bid you to stand.
No German foot shall e'er pollute the lonely Banna Strand."

The R.I.C. were searching for Sir Roger high and low .
They found him at McKenna's fort. Says they, "You are our foe."
Says he, "I'm Roger Casement. I have come to my native land,
And I mean to free my countrymen on the lonely Banna Strand."

They took Sir Roger prisoner and sailed for London town,
And in the tower they laid him as a traitor to the crown.
Says he, "I am no traitor," but his trial he had to stand
For bringing German rifles to the lonely Banna Strand.

'Twas in that English prison that they lead him to his death.
"I'm dyin' for my country," he said with his last breath.
They buried him in British soil far from his native land,
And the wild waves said his requiem on the lonely Banna Strand.

They took Sir Roger home again in the year of sixty-five,
And with his comrades of sixteen in peace and tranquil lies.
His last fond wish it was fulfilled, to lie in his native land,
And the waves will roll in peace again on the lonely Banna Strand.