BURNTOLLET AMBUSH

‘Twas in the month of January in the year of sixty-nine,
The hills were clad in mantles of snow
And the air was crisp and fine.
Near the lovely town of Claudy
Where the River Faughan strays,
A deed was done which stains with shame
The rocks to dark Gallion’s braes.

We left fair Claudy’s welcome streets
To Killaloo did come,
And our banners bright lit up the sky
As they glittered in the sun.
And our voices strong were raised in song
Fallen justice to deride,
But a dreadful fate did lie in wait
By the silent Faughan’s side.

Our columns halted by the church
And anxiously we did stand
For news had come along the road
That danger was close at hand.
But when we came to Burntollet bridge,
Our hearts grew cold with fear,
For three hundred men with clubs and sticks
On the hillside did appear.

And then the stones came down on us.
They came like the driven rain
And descending came that pack of wolves
Like men who’ve gone insane.
Oh, cruel was the slaughter there
And painful for to see
As old and young and boy and girl
Were beaten to their knees.

Oh, shame on those who planned this deed
Oh, shame on you, always.
And shame to those whose job it was
To prevent this dreadful fray.
And glory to the boys and girls
Who defenceless all did stand,
For your courage at Burntollet Bridge
Has spread throughout the land.

Flow on, flow on, sweet Faughan stream,
Flow swiftly to the sea;
But your waters wild can ne’er wash away
The dreadful memory.
And the fields around fair Claudy town
Will ever stain-ed be
With the blood of those who fell that day
In defense of liberty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOpc5BwAsJQ from the album "Irish Songs of Civil Rights"