Long Held in Chains The Irish Brigade

[Verse 1]
In 1798 we rose against England
We fought with our pikes, but they answered with guns
We fought them on the mountains, we fought by the rivers
We knew that if captured, we'd be tortured and hung
From Antrim to Derry, from Wexford to Kerry
We prayed that our freedom was soon to be won

[Chorus]
Ireland, Ireland long held in chains
Never defeated we've risen again


[Verse 2]
A dark time in Ireland there came a great famine
The people were starving the rents were too high
Evictions, then hunger then forced emigration
Our people with Typhoid in ditches did die
The "Young Irelanders" fought back with determination
That once more in Ireland the green flag would fly

[Chorus]
Ireland, Ireland long held in chains
Never defeated we've risen again

[Verse 3]
The Fenians fought both in Ireland and England
Their leaders were captured, transported for years
In exile they planned to return and free Ireland
Rossa then died, at his graveside stood Pearse
In 1916 the people had risen
For the age old demands: freedom, justice, and peace