Shall My Soul Pass Through Old Ireland

Unknown

In a dreary Brixton prison where an Irish rebel lay
By his side a priest was standing ere his soul should pass away
And he faintly murmured father as he clasped him by the hand
Tell me this before I die shall my soul pass through Ireland

Shall my soul pass through old Ireland pass through Cork city grand
Shall I see that old cathedral where Saint Patrick took his stand
Shall I see that little chapel where I placed my heart in hand
Father tell me ere I die shall my soul pass through Ireland

‘Twas for loving dear old Ireland in this prison cell I lie
‘Twas for loving dear old Ireland in this foreign land I die
Will you meet my little daughter will you make her understand
But Father tell me ere I die shall my soul pass through Ireland

With his heart pure as a lily and his body sanctified
In that dreary British prison our brave Irish rebel died
Prayed the priest that wish be granted as in blessing raised his hand
Father grant this brave man’s prayer may his soul pass through Ireland
Oh, may his soul pass through Ireland

This song is about the Irish playwright, author and politician Terence MacSwiney. He was arrested by the British on charges of sedition and imprisoned in Brixton prison in England. His death there in October 1920 after 74 days on hunger strike brought him and the Irish struggle to international attention.