Classic Poem

1

Early on a Monday morning,
High upon the gallows tree,
Kevin Barry gave his young life
For the cause of liberty.

2

Only a lad of eighteen summers,
Still there's no one can deny,
As he walked to death that morning
Nobly held his head up high.

3

Another martyr for old Ireland,
Another murder for the crown,
Brutal laws to crush the Irish
Could not keep their spirits down.

4

Lads like Barry are no cowards.
From their foes they do not fly;
For their bravery always has been
Ireland's cause to live or die.

5

" Kevin Barry, do not leave us,
On the scaffold you must die! "
Cried his broken-hearted mother
As she bade her son good-bye.

6

Kevin turned to her in silence
Saying, " Mother, do not weep,
For it's all for dear old Ireland
And it's all for freedom's sake. "

7

Just before he faced the hangman
In his lonely prison cell,
The Black and Tans tortured Barry,
Just because he wouldn't tell

8

The names of his brave comrades,
And other things they wished to know.
" Turn informer and we'll free you. "
But Kevin proudly answered " No!

9

" Shoot me like a soldier.
Do not hang me like a dog,
For I fought to free old Ireland
On that still September morn.

10

" All around the little bakery
Where we fought them hand to hand,
Shoot me like a brave soldier,
For I fought for Ireland. "