13 Jul 09 - 06:59 AM (#2678934) Subject: Lyr Add: THE ST PATRICK BATTALION (David Rovics) From: Rog Peek I was unaware of this episode in Irish history until I heard this song by david Rovics. THE SAINT PATRICK BATTALION (David Rovics) My name is John Riley I'll have your ear only a while I left my dear home in Ireland It was death, starvation or exile And when I got to America It was my duty to go Enter the Army and slog across Texas To join in the war against Mexico It was there in the pueblos and hillsides That I saw the mistake I had made Part of a conquering army With the morals of a bayonet blade So in the midst of these poor, dying Catholics Screaming children, the burning stench of it all Myself and two hundred Irishmen Decided to rise to the call Chorus From Dublin City to San Diego We witnessed freedom denied So we formed the Saint Patrick Battalion And we fought on the Mexican side We marched 'neath the green flag of Saint Patrick Emblazoned with "Erin Go Bragh" Bright with the harp and the shamrock And "Libertad a la Republica" Just fifty years after Wolftone Five thousand miles away The Yanks called us a Legion of Strangers And they can talk as they may (Chorus) We fought them in Matamoros While their volunteers were raping the nuns In Monterey and Cerro Gordo We fought on as Ireland's sons We were the red-headed fighters for freedom Amidst these brown-skinned women and men Side by side we fought against tyranny And I daresay we'd do it again (Chorus) We fought them in five major battles Churobusco was the last Overwhelmed by the cannons from Boston We fell after each mortar blast Most of us died on that hillside In the service of the Mexican state So far from our occupied homeland We were heroes and victims of fate (Chorus) RP July09 |
13 Jul 09 - 07:08 AM (#2678940) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The St. Patrick Battalion (David Rovics) From: Keith A of Hertford Some history here. http://www.noraid.com/SaintPatrick.htm |
14 Mar 22 - 07:57 PM (#4138501) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The St. Patrick Battalion (David Rovics) From: Joe Offer Any further information, corrections? https://songsear.ch/song/The-Wakes-Starting-Tuesday/Saint-Patricks-Battalion/558696 |
29 Jan 24 - 04:21 PM (#4196350) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The St. Patrick Battalion (David Rovics) From: Joe Offer Here's the songwriter's page on this great song: https://www.davidrovics.com/songbook/st-patrick-battalion-2/
THE SAINT PATRICK BATTALION It was there in the pueblos and hillsides From Dublin City to San Diego We marched ‘neath the green flag of Saint Patrick Chorus We fought them in Matamoros Chorus We fought them in five major battles Chorus https://www.davidrovics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/12-The-St-Patricks-Battalion.mp3?_=1 |
29 Jan 24 - 04:28 PM (#4196352) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The St. Patrick Battalion (David Rovics) From: Joe Offer Last verse 3/9/2022 H. L. Preston (sent it to David Rovics in case he ever wants to use it): The survivors were hanged or were branded / and detailed to bury our men But even with bodies imprisoned / we carried our freedom within And now every 12th of September / in Mexico’s cities and towns They honor the brave San Patricios / who joined them and laid their lives down, for: CH x 2 |
29 Jan 24 - 05:53 PM (#4196357) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The St. Patrick Battalion (David Rovics) From: GUEST,Heather Preston Well, I thought it needed a little extra information. John Riley, who unlike 50 others was not hanged for treason, as were those who had left to fight for Mexico after the US-Mexico war had begun, but was branded on the face for desertion -- for leaving prior to the start of the war. Riley was said to have answered "I have always been free" when told he was being released after his incarceration for desertion - although that is anecdotal and showed up in a movie about the San Patricios, called 'One Man's Hero.' He returned to Mexico and served with honors until his medical retirement due to yellow fever. There is some uncertainty about his death: location, date, cause etc. There are families in Mexico proud of their San Patricio heritage and carrying Irish surnames to this day. Appreciate the opportunity to mention that unofficial verse, Joe! |