Lyr Req: The Boys of Kilmichael

09 Jun 99 - 12:54 PM (#85208)
Subject: Lyrics request: "The Boys of Kilmichael" (Irish)
From: [e-mail]

Greetings...this is my first message, so forgive me if I inadvertently violate any applicable protocols.

The husband of one of my Irish great-aunts was involved in a pivotal skirmish with the Black & Tans near a small town (or townland) called Kilmichael in County Cork, in the 1920's, I think........I've been told that a song called "The Boys of Kilmichael" was written to commemorate the event, but I have been unable to find the lyrics or a recorded version...if you think that you can help out, please respond directly to: [e-mail]

Thank you....

Kevin Carroll Rosemount, Minnesota USA

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09 Jun 99 - 01:02 PM (#85212)
Subject: RE: Boys of Kilmichael
From: Wolfgang

Boys of Kilmichael

On the twentieth day of November,

the day that the tans left Macroom.

they were loaded in two crossley tenders

not knowing that they'd meet their doom

But when they came to Kilmichael

they suddnely came to a stop

For they met with the boys of the column

Who made a clean sweep of the lot.

Then over the hills went the echo

the peal of the rifle and gun

The flames from the lorries gave tidings

That the boys from Kilmichael had won.

So here's to the boys of Kilmichael

Those brave lads so gallant and true

Who fought 'neath the green flag of Erin

And conquered the red, white and blue.

(copied from: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7652/songs1.html)

Wolfgang (who also sent a mail to Kevin)

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09 Jun 99 - 01:17 PM (#85217)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BOYS OF KILMICHAEL
From: Wolfgang

a recording can be found at http://www.tunes.com/tunes-cgi2/tunes/release/485801/1/4

more and different lyrics below (copied from: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ndrose/texts/cronintext.html):

THE BOYS OF KILMICHAEL

Whilst we honor in song and in story
The memory of Pearse and MacBride
Whose fame is illumined in story
With martyrs who long since have died
Forget not the boys of Kilmichael
Who feared not the might of the foe
The day that they marched into battle
They laid all the Black and Tans low

Refrain:
So here's to the boys of Kilmichael
Those brave men so gallant and true
Who fought neath the green flag of Erin
To conquer the Red, White and Blue

On the 28th day of November
The Tans left the town of Macroom
They were armed (?)
Which led them right into their doom
They were on their way to Dunmanway
Who never expected to stall
When they met with the boys of the column
Which made a clean sweep of them all

(Refrain)

The sun to the west it was sinking
Twas the eve of a cold winter's day
When the Tans we were wearily waiting
Rolled into the spot where they lay
And over the hill rang the echo
The sound of each rifle and gun
The blaze from the lorries gave tidings
That the boys of Kilmichael had won

(Refrain)

The lorries were ours before twilight
And high over Dunmanway town
Our banners in triumph are waving
To show that the Tans had gone down
We gathered their rifles and bayonets
And then left that glen so obscure
And never drew reins till we halted
At the faraway camp of Granure

(Refrain)

Wolfgang

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09 Jun 99 - 01:57 PM (#85225)
Subject: RE: Boys of Kilmichael
From: Wolfgang

"28th November 1920 Kilmichael: In the most successful IRA ambush to date, a flying column under Tom Barry ambushed a convoy of Auxies at Kilmichael, Co. Cork. Seventeen of the eighteen members of the convoy were killed to the loss of three IRA men."

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09 Jun 99 - 04:49 PM (#85273)
Subject: RE: Boys of Kilmichael
From: Martin _Ryan

Kevin

By coincidence, as I sit here in Ireland tapping at the computer, I can look out the window and see -- Rosemount! Rosemount CO. Westmeath, that is.

Regards

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