GALLIPOLI

I remember the day it stands clear in my mind,
we stood down in Dun Laoghaire to wave you goodbye
You Ma was gently weeping, there was a tear in my eye
as they sent you to Gallipoli to die.

You looked so young as you stood there, that glint in your eye
and you sang rebel songs as the streamers flew high,
your Ma turned away and I heard her sigh:
God, he's going to Gallipoli to die.

Chorus: You were all that we had, your Mommy and me,
when you marched, head erect, you were proud as could be,
but it killed your poor Ma and it's slowly killing me,
you were blown to Kingdom come on the shores of Gallipoli.

We got only one letter and we knew right away,
it said: 'Deepest regrets, your son was bold and he was brave.
You were only nineteen, when your Mommy and I
let you go to Gallipoli to die.

You fought for the wrong country, you died for the wrong cause,
and your Ma often said, it was Ireland's sad loss
all those fine young men who marched foreign lands to fight the wars,
when the greatest war of all was at home.

(Recorded i. E. by The Furey Bros.)