16 Mar 15 - 12:02 AM (#3694341) Subject: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: GUEST,Bigsciota Not normally a big fan of Loyalist songs (or many post-partition IRA songs, for that matter), but I heard this the other day and thought it's actually a decent song. Not particularly sectarian (besides a few references), very simple storytelling, and the last line hits home. Any ideas as to origins? All I can find are horribly recorded (and mostly MIDI filled) renditions on Youtube. Billy Gray, Billy Gray will you not come to me Bright light has turned to darkness, in this trench I cannot see And my sight has just been shattered by the shell that blinded me Fighting with the Armagh Brigade For I remember when all my associates in arms We gathered from towns all, our villages and farms In answer to the echo of Carson's loud alarm We formed up the Armagh Brigade We took those smuggled rifles from off the Clyde Valley To fight the South for England or whatever enemy Who would bring us into bondage or deny our liberty We marched with the Armagh Brigade I've always been so puzzled and I cannot understand Why we're fighting here in France and not in Ulsters land And knowing England's promises are as firm as drifting sand I don't believe a word they say Now, when we charged that morning with a great and mighty yell Right through the German trenches, how far I cannot tell I prepared myself for heaven but I marched right into hell Along with the Armagh Brigade I hear the booming thunder and the stutter of the guns I hear the angry screaming of Ulsters fallen sons In this bloody slaughterhouse of the Battle of the Somme I'm dying with the Armagh Brigade For Ulster is my heritage and Ulster is my cause This war it is futility, and its glory is a fraud But I'm bleeding heavily and I must go to God I'm leaving the Armagh Brigade. Billy Gray, Billy Gray will you not come to me I'm far away from my home, my wife and family Will you come and speak some comfort and be a friend to me If your not dead yet, Billy Gray |
16 Mar 15 - 03:08 AM (#3694354) Subject: RE: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: Thompson Nice song, bizarre logic - a) To fight the South for England or whatever enemy Who would bring us into bondage or deny our liberty b) And knowing England's promises are as firm as drifting sand I don't believe a word they say |
16 Mar 15 - 05:07 AM (#3694370) Subject: RE: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: FreddyHeadey The one on this page is a good rendition hyms poetry songs Very few songs on the sites this song is listed on semm to give any history or composer credits. Are they just assumed to be 'trad' I wonder? |
16 Mar 15 - 07:28 AM (#3694399) Subject: RE: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: Teribus The words given in the link provided by FreddyHeadey are: "a) To fight the South OR England or whatever enemy Who would bring us into bondage or deny our liberty b) And knowing England's promises are as firm as drifting sand I don't believe a word they say Which makes sense. |
16 Mar 15 - 08:57 AM (#3694414) Subject: RE: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: Thompson Ah, thanks, Teribus, that makes more sense all right! Damned perfidious Albion/(&Erin)! |
16 Mar 15 - 12:29 PM (#3694478) Subject: RE: Origins: Armagh Brigade - Origins? From: FreddyHeadey Do you recognise the singer on that YouTube Armagh Brigade ? |