WHEN SAINT PETER'S DAY IS A-DAWNING
(as sung by Patrick Tunney)

You true sons of Grainne that's darin and clever
Give ear unto my recitation
Although I'm scarce able for to teach all this subject
For want of some more education
But still I'll endeavor to consult with the muse
Who never did aid or petition refuse
Concerning the deeds of the sons of Saint Patrick
To show their behavior how decent they acted
In the town of Corliss where they were respected
When Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

Our numbers appeared in Corliss they say
There were ten thousand bodies in station
With their helmets of steel, bright guns and broad shields
To free and protect all this nation
Each body assembled soon formed in a line
They were dressed in all splendor for to take the prize
They would fight till they'd die or they'd win satisfaction
For Island Magee, for the Boyne or for Aughrim
For the debts that were done and the blood of the martyrs
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

At Fetherna Bush these parties were dressed
With silk scarfs and green sashes tied round them
With their helmets of steel, bright guns and broad shields
Their bugles and trumpets were sounding
By reinforcements our ranks they did fill
With all the stout heroes around Cullaville
Spectators did gaze and with wonder did fill
As they saw us approaching we all marched together
With blooming cockade and white plume and feather
We carried the day, took the pride of all other
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

And we fired a volley that opened the valley
From Drogheda's gate to Rathfriland
And to answer our guns sure the hills they did speak
All the Protestant churches did tremble and quake
And so did their women all miscarry
All those who were bearing the rank seed of Harry
And their fair maids they swore that they never would marry
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

Our drums they did beat and our trumpets did sound
The harp of old Ireland played Orange Lie Down
And the Brunswick's awoke in this nation all round
And the Black Hare of Luther no longer was sleeping
For she quickly arose between mourning and weeping
Through hedges and holes at us they were peeping
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

You true sons of Grainne, Milesians so pure
Who sprang from the Rocks of Gadelus
Who was bit by the snake and by Moses was cured
And green was the spot he was healed on
Patriot David was chosen our king
Who Goliath the giant he slew with his sling
And down from his race our Virgin did spring
Who bore the Messiah who trampled the serpent
That came to the garden where Adam was tempted
And his blood he did spill for to have sin exempted
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

But their lust and their passion they couldn't keep down
Till Luther and Calvin with them did compound
A text in the scripture a phrase to expound
That would answer the ends of all Protestant nations
Their kindreds might marry and still gain salvation
Without any danger of hell or damnation
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning

And it's now to conclude my advice to yous
To tear down all rotten foundations
And banish this crew that our land did pollute
And corrupted our true ordinations
We'll raise up a storm and chase them away
All the informers since King Harry's day
And all other tribes that with them would say
We'll send them a-sailin all putrid and carrion
To some other island that's fruitless and barren
For this one was promised to Moses and Aaron
While Saint Peter's Day was a-dawning