I have the lyrics in the Wolfetones songbook, as well as Soodlums Irish Ballad book. Neither indicates where the tune comes from. The Wolfetones book simply says it was "collected and arranged" by them. The lyrics certainly cannot be classified as trad, they are too new.

Connally, for those that don't know, was arguably the most important player in the 'Rising. It was his Irish Citizens Army that gave Pearse and company the ability to go ahead with the revolt. Many Irish Americans are not aware, however that James Connolly was a Union Organizer in the States. He was a committed Socialist who believed in "Ireland's wealth for Ireland's People". At one point in the early 20th century, he came to New York to work organizing unions. One of his tasks was to organize the Italian dockworkers in New York. He sat down and learned Italian and went out and organized them. He was a brilliant man. He went back to Ireland and the rest is history.

All the best,

Mick Lane