NINETY MILES FROM DUBLIN TOWN

I'm ninety miles from Dublin town, I'm in my H-Block cell,
To help you understand my plight, my story I will tell,
I'm on the blanket protest, my efforts must not fail,
For I'm joined by men and women, in the Kesh and Armagh jail.

It all began one morning, I was dragged to Castlereagh,
And though it was five years ago, it seems like yesterday,
For three days kicked and beaten, I then was forced to sign,
Confessions that convicted me, of deeds that were not mine.

Sentenced in Diplock court, my protest it began,
I could not wear their prison gear, I was a blanket man,
I'll not accept their status, I'll not be criminalised,
That's the issue in the blocks, for which we'd give our lives.

Over there in London town, how they'd laugh and sneer,
If only they could make us wear their loathsome prison gear,
Prisoners of war is what we are, and that we must remain,
The blanket protest must not end, till status is regained.

I've been beaten round the ropmer room, because I'll not say "sir",
I've been frogmarched down the landing, and dragged back by the hair,
I've suffered degradation, humility and shame,
Still the spirit does not falter, British torture is in vain.

I've been held in scalding water, while my skin with deckscrubs is torn,
I've been scratched and kicked from head to foot, and thrown on the floor,
I've suffered mirror searches, been probed by drunken 'bears',
I've heard my comrades cry and scream, and utter useless prayers.

Now with the news that's coming in, our protest must not fail,
For now we're joined by 30 girls in Armagh women's jail,
So pay attention Irishmen, and Irishwomen too,
And show the Free State rulers that their silence will not do.

Oh it's ninety miles from Dublin town, it seems so far away,
There's more attention to our plight in the USA,
Now you've heard the story, of this filthy living hell,
Remember ninety miles away, I'm still in my H-Block cell.

Source: "Songs of Resistance, 1968-1982", credited there to Christy Moore.