THE BOYS OF THE IRISH BRIGADE

What for should I sing you of Roman or Greek,
Or the boys we hear tell of in story?
Come match me for fighting, for frolic, or freak,
An Irishman's reign in his glory;
For Ajax, and Hector, and bold Agamemnon,
Were up to the trick of our trade, O,
But the rollicking boys, for war, ladies and noise,
Are the boys of the Irish Brigade, O!

What for should I sing you of Helen of Troy,
Or the mischief that came by her flirting?
There's Biddy M'Clinchy the pride of Fermoy,
Twice as much of a Helen, that's certain.
Then for Venus, so famous, or Queen Cleopatra,
Bad luck to the word should be said, O,
By the rollicking boys, for war, ladies, and noise,
The boys of the Irish Brigade, O!

What for should I sing you of classical fun,
Or of games, whether Grecian or Persian?
Sure the Curragh's the place where the knowing one's done,
And Mallow that flogs for diversion.
For fighting, for drinking, for ladies and all,
No time like our time e'er was made, O,
By the rollicking boys, for war, ladies, and noise,
The boys of the Irish Brigade, O!