A while ago, in a thread talking about Michael Collins, there was a request for the words of a song.   Words were given and a link to this site. (Yep, you're right, I'm just doing this to practice blue clickies.) The words were not 100% accurate but close enough so I didn't bother posting any corrections. However, since I've worked out that ABC stuff I thought I might as well post the melody. By the way, I am aware of the following facts:
(1) Michael Collins was the greatest Irishman who ever lived.
(2) Michael Collins was a swine who betrayed the ideals of the Republic.
(3) Michael Collins was somewhere between (1) and (2).


THE BALLAD OF MICHAEL COLLINS
(aka Hang Out Your Brightest Colours)
Songwriter: Brian Moore???

The bark of a dog breaks the silence like a bitter last hurrah   
And a raven spreads its wings for flight over fields near Beal na Blath   
A rifle still clasped to his breast, hanging low his head   
A black August day in the County Cork, Michael Collins is dead   

Hang out your brightest colours and his memory now recall   
Each one wants a part of him, no one wants it all   

Working over in London town when he joined the IRB   
Sworn to use most deadly force, his native land to free   
His squad is ready and willing to strike, he is loved for his ruthless charm   
When the laughing boy smiles at the Castle, it's a smile to cause alarm.   

A British Intelligence agent is working from a Dublin room   .
Michael Collins adds a name to a list that will take men to the tomb   
The spy slowly rises from his chair, walks across the floor.   
A man with a parabellum is knocking at the door   

Returning then to London town, who will take the blame?   
The Treaty lies before him, Michael Collins adds his name.   
There's a darker time upon the land, who will bear the load?   
An awkward hero in an armoured car on an Irish country road.   

The bark of a dog breaks the silence like a bitter last hurrah   
And a raven spreads its wings for flight over fields near Beal na Blath

X:1
T:Michael Collins
M:4/4
Q:100
K:G
d|gg/a/ba/g/|e g>edG|A3B/A/|
GABd|eaab/a/|
gea>g|g3f/g/|
a>baf|gedg|a>ab>g|a3d|
gg/a/ba/g/|eaab/a/|geb>a|g3a
b>ba>f|ga|f3z|
b>ba>f|g>ge>d|eef>d|e3