From Irish Song Book, No. 1 (New York: Wehman Bros., 1909), page 106. I have boldfaced the words that are different from the above transcription.


JOHN MITCHELL

I am a true-born Irishman; John Mitchell is my name.
To free my own brave countrymen from Merrytown I came.
I struggled hard both night and day to free my native land,
For which I was transported, as you may understand.

When I first joined my countrymen, it was in '42,
And then what followed after I'll quickly tell to you:
I raised the standard of "Repeal," and gloried in the deed,
And I vowed to heaven I'd never rest until Erin it was freed.

While here in prison close confined, waiting for my trial day,
My loving wife she came to me and these words to me did say:
"Oh, John, my dear, cheer up your heart, and daunted do not be,
For it's better to die for Erin's rights than to live in slavery."

When I received my sentence, 'twas on a foreign ground,
Where hundreds of my comrades assembled all around.
My liberty was offered me if there I would forsake their cause,
But I'd rather die ten thousand deaths than forsake my Irish boys!

Farewell, my true-born Irishmen; farewell, my country, too,
But to leave my poor babes behind, it grieves me worse than all.
There is one request I ask of you, when your liberty you gain:
Remember John Mitchell far away, though a convict bound in chains.