Rifles of the I.R.A.

In nineteen hundred and sixteen
The forces of the Crown
For to capture orange, white and green
Bombarded Dublin town
But in twenty one, Britannia's huns
Began to earn their pay
When the Black and Tans
Like lightning ran
From the rifles of the IRA

They burned their way through Munster
Laid Leinster on the rack
Through Connaught and through Ulster
Marched the men in brown and black
Well, they cut down wives and children
In their own heroic way
Then the Black and Tans
Like lightning ran
From the rifles of the IRA

They hanged young Kevin Barry high
A lad of eighteen years
Cork city's flames lit up the sky
But our brave boys new no fear
The Cork Brigade with hand grenade
In ambush waiting lay
Then the Black and Tans
Like lightning ran
From the rifles of the IRA

Now the Tans were taken out and shot
By a brave and fearless few
Sean Treacy, Denny, Lacey
And Tom Barry's famous crew
Well we're not free yet
But we won't forget
Until our dying day
How the Black and Tans
Like lightning ran
From the rifles of the IRA

No we're not free yet
But we won't forget
Until our dying day
How the Black and Tans
Like lightning ran
From the rifles of the IRA