Lyr Req: The Ballad of Billy Reid

22 Oct 97 - 03:44 AM (#15062)
Subject: Ballad of Billy Reed
From: [e-mail]

I'm looking for the lyrics to a song that I think is called The Ballad of Billy Reed (Read, Reade, Reede?). It's an Irish Republican Rebel song. The lyrics I do know are:

And the radio said there was another shot dead. And he died with a gun in his hand. But they never said why Billy Reed had to die, For he died to free Ireland.

If any one could supply the full lyric or let me know where else I might find them I'd appreciate it.

PC.

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23 Oct 97 - 03:51 AM (#15103)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE BALLAD OF BILLY REID
From: Wolfgang Hell

Reed, Read, Reade, Reede? Some near misses, it is Reid. Here you go, PC:

THE BALLAD OF BILLY REID

(Source: An I.R.A, sorry, Sinn Féin, songbook called "Songs of Resistance, 1968-1975", printed 1975; no author is named, no information on tune is given)

Chorus: Oh, the radio said, there was another shot dead
and he died with a gun in his hand,
but they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die
for he died to free Ireland.

1. I'll sing you a song of a terrible wrong
when the flags all flew at half mast,
and a man, he lay dead, he'd been riddled with lead,
and he died on the streets of Belfast.

2. It happened one day when the bold I.R.A.
Went out to fight for their land,
With an old Thompson gun, put the troops on the run
And return to their homes was their plan.

3. While returning the guns, Billy met British huns [I do not know whether the unnamed author also considered "sons" as his rhyme word],
And when the fight had begun
His position was dire when his gun wouldn't fire
So he died with that old Thopson gun.

4. Although he lay dead, he was kicked in the head,
By the hair they dragged him around,
But they still fear him yet, and we can never forget
How brave Billy Reid stood his ground.

5. If you think he was right, come and join in the fight
And help to free Belfast.
For the blood that he shed, and although he lies dead,
In our hearts his memory will last.

PC, can you give us a hint to the tune?

Wolfgang

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23 Oct 97 - 04:37 AM (#15104)
Subject: RE: Ballad of Billy Reed
From: [e-mail]

Thanks Wolfgang,

I'd like to help you out with the tune, I know it in my head but I'd have no idea how to get it across. I'll talk to a friend over the weekend and see if we can come up with something for you.

Thanks again,

PC.

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