James Connolly The Wolfe Tones

[Spoken]
The man was all shot through that came today into the Barrack Square
And a soldier I, I am not proud to say that we killed him there
They brought him from the prison hospital and to see him in that chair
I swear his smile would, would far more quickly call a man to prayer
Maybe, maybe I don't understand this thing that makes these rebels die
Yet all men love freedom and the spring clear in the sky
I wouldn't do this deed again for all that I hold by
As I gazed down my rifle at his breast but then, then a soldier I
They say he was different, kindly too, apart from all the rest
A lover of the poor — his wounds ill dressed
He faced us like a man who knew a greater pain
Than blows or bullets ere the world began: died he in vain
Ready, present, and him just smiling, Christ I felt my rifle shake
His wounds all open and around his chair a pool of blood
I swear his lips said, "fire" before my rifle shot that cursed lead
And I, I was picked to kill a man like that, James Connolly

[Verse 1]
A great crowd had gathered outside of Kilmainham
Their heads all uncovered, they knelt to the ground
For inside that grim prison lay a brave Irish soldier
His life for his country about to lay down

[Verse 2]
He went to his death like a true son of Ireland
The firing party he bravely did face
Then the order rang out, "Present arms, fire!"
James Connolly fell into a ready made grave