One of [Sean O'Casey's] first and best-loved satirical ballads was 'The Grand Oul' Dame Britannia', published in the Workers' Republic on 15 January 1916 under his old, ironic penname An Gall Fada, 'the Tall Foreigner'.
The context was the introduction of conscription in England, from which Ireland was for the present exempt but which was to reappear as a threat in March 1918, when the ballad was reprinted as one of the Songs of the Wren under O'Casey's name (in Irish). The first verse (of eight) runs:
Och! Ireland, sure I'm proud of you— Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia, To poor little Belgium tried and true, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia. Ye've closed your ear to the Sinn Fein lies, For you know each Gael that for England dies Will enjoy Home Rule in the clear blue skies, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia.
Redmond now Home Rule has won, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia. He's finished what Wolfe Tone begun, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia. Now scholars, hurlers, saints and bards, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia. Come along and join the Irish Guards, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia. Every Man who treads on a German's feet Will be given a parcel tied up neat— A Home Rule badge, Tombstone Cross and Winding Sheet, Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia.