Boys o the Auld Brigade
'Boys o the Auld Brigade' is a tradeetional Erse fowk sang. It recoonts the Erse Weir o Unthirldom. The story o the sang is telt frae the pynt o view o a boy askin his faither aboot his feelins ae Easter morn (the annual day o memberance in Ireland). The faither gaes on tae tell the laddie hou he mynt takkin pairt in the war. It taks a mair reflective theme unlike mair millitant Erse Republican sangs.
Celtic Fitbaw Club
eeditThe sang is popular amang the awa support o Celtic Fitba Club. It haes makkit a muckle stir amang mony in the Scots fitbaw scene wi mony takin the opeenion that it shaws support for terrorism. Houane'er in truith it recoonts the warstlin o the Auld IRA frae 1916-1922 an nae the Proveesional IRA frae the 1960s tae the praisent. The Celtic fans conteenas tae defend the sang as a wey o myndin the warstlin for unthirldom in Ireland an the makkin o Ireland as a nation ance again.
Leerics (Inglis)
eeditV1: Oh, faither why are you so sad
On this bright Easter morn’
When Irish men are proud and glad
Of the land where they were born?
V2: Oh, son, I see in mem’ry's view
A far off distant day
When being just a lad like you
I joined the IRA.
Chorus: Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
V3: From hills and farms a call to arms
Was heard by one and all.
And from the glen came brave young men
To answer Ireland’s call.
V4: T'was long ago we faced the foe,
The old brigade and me,
And by my side they fought and died
That Ireland might be free.
Chorus: Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
V5: And now, my boy, I’ve told you why
On Easter morn’ I sigh,
For I recall my comrades all
And dark old days gone by.
V6: I think of men who fought in glen
With rifle and grenade.
May heaven keep the men who sleep
From the ranks of the old brigade.
Chorus: Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
Leerics (Scots)
eeditV1: Oh, faither hou are ye sae dowie
On this bricht Pace morn
Whan Erse men is prood an cantie
O the laund whaur they wis born?
V2: Oh, son, A see in ma mynd's ee
A faur aff deestant day
Whan bein but a lad like ye
A jyned the IRA.
Owerwird: Whaur is the lads that stuid wi me
Whan history wis made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, A green tae see
The boys o the auld brigade.
V3: Frae hills an ferms a caw tae airms
Wis heard by ane an aw.
An frae the glen cam brave young men
Tae answer Ireland’s caw.
V4: It wis lang syne we faced the fae,
The auld brigade an me,
An bi ma side they focht an dee'd
That Ireland micht be free.
Owerwird: Whaur is the lads that stuid wi me
Whan history wis made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, A green tae see
The boys o the auld brigade.
V5: An nou, ma boy, A’v telt ye hou,
On Easter morn A pine,
For A recaw ma comrades aw
An daurk auld days lang syne.
V6: A think o men that focht in glen
Wi rifle an grenade.
Mey heiven haud the men that sleeps
Frae the raings o the auld brigade.
Owerwird: Whaur is the lads that stuid wi me
Whan history wis made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, A green tae see
The boys o the auld brigade.