The Boys of Barr-na-Sraide

The Boys of Barr-na-Sraide

by Sigerson Clifford.

Oh the town it climbs the mountain and looks upon the sea
At sleeping time or waking time, it's there I'd like to be
To walk again those kindly streets, the place where life began
With those boys of Barr na Sraide who hunted for the wren

With cudgels stout they roamed about to hunt for the dreolin
We searched for birds from every furze from Litir to Dooneen
We danced for joy beneath the sky life held no print or plan
When the boys of Barr na Sraide went hunting for the wren

And when the hills were bleeding and the rifles were aflame
To the rebel hills of Kerry the Saxon strangers came
But the men who dared the Auxies and who fought the Black and Tan
Were those boys of Barr na Sraide who hunted for the wren

But now they toil in foreign soil where they have made their way
Deep in the heart of London town or over in Broadway
And I am left to sing their deeds and praise them while I can
Those boys of Barr na Sraide who hunted for the wren

And here's a health to them tonight wherever they may be
By the groves of Carhan river or the slopes of Bi na Ti
John Daly and Batt Andy and the Sheehans, Con and Dan
And the boys of Barr na Sraide who hunted for the wren

When the wheel of life runs out and peace comes over me
Just take me back to that old town between the hills and sea
I'll take my rest in those green fields, the place where life began
With those boys of Barr na Sraide who hunted for the wren


END