Henry Joy

I am a proud United Man
From the Antrim Glens I come
And that though I labour by the sea
I followed fife and drum
I heard the tramp of marching men
I saw men fight and die
And, my lads, I do remember well
When I followed Henry Joy

I pulled my boat up from the shore
And I hid my sails away
I flung my net upon a tree
And I scanned the moonlit bay
I kissed my wife and children dear
A fond and last goodbye
And there in the shade of the greenwood glade
I followed Henry Joy

It was for Ireland’s cause we fought
And we gave our heart and hand
And at Antrim town of high renown
We fought with the redcoat band
We piked their gunners at their guns
I saw them fall and die
And aye, my boys, it was for Ireland then
That I followed Henry Joy

It was for Ireland’s cause we fought
For her sire and home we bled
Though our pikes were few, our hearts beat true
And five to one lay dead
And there many’s the lass she lost her lad
And mother mourned her boy
For youth was strong in the gallant throng
That followed Henry Joy

In Belfast town they built the tree
And the redcoats mustered there
I watched him come at the sound of a drum
Rolled out in the barrack square
He kissed his sister and went aloft
He waved a fond goodbye
And as he died, I turned and I cried
“They have murdered Henry Joy!”