CONNOLLY WAS THERE

There is a page in history when the workers first fought back,
When the might of exploitation first began to crack.
In farm and field and factory, in workshop, mine and mill,
A flame was lit, a beacon bright. That flame is burning still.

For Connolly was there. Connolly was there.
Brave, brave undaunted James Connolly was there.

William Martin Murphy and his Dublin millionaires,
Tried bribery and corruption, hypocrisy and prayers.
To slash the Transport Union their scabs they did enlist,
But all their graft was shattered by a scarlet iron first.

For Connolly was there....

When the bosses tried to sweat (?) the lads way down in Glasgow's pride,
A voice like roaring thunder soon shook them in their stride.
In Liverpool and Belfast where the workers lived in hell,
James Connolly rose and gave them hope. The truth to you I'll tell.

For Connolly was there....

O Irishmen, the day will come when workers one and all,
Will rise up from dependence and rally to the call,
Throw off the bosses tyranny and fight from shore to shore
For a working man's republic and for freedom ever more.

And Connolly will be there. Connolly will be there.
Brave, brave undaunted James Connolly will be there.

Transcribed from "26 Irish Rebel Songs Vol. 2", Derry Records, 1997 [Belfast]. Composer not given, artist anon.
Note: William Martin Murphy (1844-1919) led the employers in the Great Dublin Lockout of 1913-14. The strikers lost and Connolly cried, "We Irish workers must once more go down into hell."

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 20-Apr-02.