For Boston

For Boston for Boston, we sing our proud refrain for Boston for Boston 'tis wisdom's earthly fame
for here are all one and our hearts are true and the towers on the heights reach the heavens own blue.
for boston for boston 'til the echoes ring agin!

For Boston for Boston thy glory is our own
for Boston for Boston 'tis here that truth is known
and ever with a right shall our heirs be found 'til time shall be no more and thy work is crowned
for Boston for Boston thy glory is our own!

back

The Legend Of Finn MacCumhail

This mighty soldier on the eve of the war he waged told his troops of lessons learned from battles fought:
"May your heart grow bolder like an iron--clad brigade" said this leader to his outnumbered lot.

Known as a hero to all that he knew, long live the legend of Finn MacCool!
The brave fearless leader of the chosen few, long live the legend of Finn MacCool!

back

Which Side Are You On?

Our father was a union man some day i'll be one too.
The bosses fired daddy what's our family gonna do?
Come all you good workers good news to you
I'll tell of how the good old union has come in here to dewll.

Chorus:
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?

My daddy was miner and I'm a miner's son
and I'll stick with the union 'til every battles done.

They say in Marlan County there are no neutrals there
you'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair

Oh workers can you stand it?
Oh tell me how you can will you be a lousy scab or will you be a man?
Don't scab for the bosses don't listen to their lies
us poor folks haven't got a chance unless we organize.

back

The Rocky Road To Dublin

In the merry month of June from my home I started
left the girls of Taum nearly brokenhearted saluted me father dear,
kissed me darling mother drank a pint of beer,
my grief and tears to smother then off to reap the corn,
leave where I was born cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblin,
brand-new pair of brogues,
rattling o'er the bogs frightening all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin.

In Mullingar last night, I rested limbs so weary started by daylight next morning bright
and early took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinking
that's the daddy's cure when he's on the drinking see the lassies smile,
laughing all the while at me darling style, would set your heart a-bubblin' asked me was I hired,
wages I required 'til I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.

Chorus:
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road and all the way to Dublin, whack-fol-la-de-da!

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity to be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
decided to take a stroll all among the quality bundle,
it was stole in that neat locality something crossed my mind when I looked behind
no bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin' crying for a rogue said me
connaught brogue wasn't much in-vogue on the rocky road to Dublin.

From there I got away, me spirits never failing landed on the quay just as the ship was sailing captain at me roared,
said that no room had he then I jumped aboard a cabin found for Daddy down among the pigs,
played some funny rigs, danced some hearty jigs,
the water 'round me bubblin' off to hollyhead wished myself was dead
or better far instead on the rocky road to Dublin.

The boys in Liverpool, when we safely landed called myself a fool,
I could no longer stand it blood began to boil,
temper I was losing poor old Erin's Isle they began abusing hooray me soul,
says I, let the shellaillagh fly some galway boys were nigh,
saw I was a-hobblin' with a loud array,
they joined me in the fray and soon we cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin.

back

Heroes from Our Past

And so the story's told of a hearty group of men it's a tale of their triumphs and their woes.
Be it raids and melees ancient or the modern worker's struggle that inspires men to stand up for their rights.
And should we fall down by the wayside in this ever-changing world
we can look back to these heroes of our past.
With their staunch determination and ferocious iron will,
no tyranny would quell them in their task.

It's an age-old situation with an ever-present message:
that time and tide waiteth for no man.
So without fear of confrontation of the consequence of outcome,
it's for freedom and for happiness they toiled.
An in looking to the future,
we can see a better place where we can shake the yoke of tyranny for all.
It's been paved by generations who have gone now to their rest.
It's just remembrance of their dignity we ask.

Chorus:
So come on rally round this brave and valiant cause with tradition, pride, and honor at its core.
With swords drawn to defend stood stood these noble-hearted men Faugh-an-ballagh,
clear the way, me boys!!

Under perilous conditions with small hope of success they left behind the lives that they once led
and by virtue of their fortitude and single-minded strength they cleared the way for the people of today
so when we think back to our ancestors respectfully we hark
and thank the men whose struggle broke the chain it's a long road up ahead of us
let's forge on while we're strong and leave our mark of honor once again

So the story has been told and it comes now to an end.
It's setting any era, any land.
When abusive tyrants force the hands of matters great or small,
it inpires men to stand up for their rights.

back

Forever

"Never take your loved ones for granted: they could be gone tomorrow"
all of my dreams seem to fall by the side like a discarded thought or the day's fading light
but I know that if I could just see you tonight forever at times we may fall,
like we all tend to do but I'll reach out and find that I've run into you
your strength is the power that carried me through forever

Your kindness for weakness I never mistook I worried you often,
yet you understood that life is so fleeting,
these troubles won't last forever inspired me truly you did from the start to not be afraid
and to follow my heart there's a piece of you with me they can't tear apart forever

Forever I'll find you, forever we'll be
Forever your power and strength stays with me

back

The Gauntlet

Well I just got back from a break in the fight I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright
all I hear in the distance mines and shells
here come the sirens wailing another attack to be repelled
do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
you could sit here scared to move or we could take them by surprise
it's submission that they want
it's surrender that they need
when we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved

They're gonna come when you're not ready
when you're not to well-prepared
they're gonna prey upon your weakness no man's soul is ever spared
you've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
show them what it's all about this man is not for sale there will be no backing down

Chorus:
Stand up and fight and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed

They won't get me they won't get me
thought they never cease to try
they won't get me they won't get me
I would rather fight and die
they won't get me they won't get me
well my friend will they get you?
when they get you when they get
you tell me what are you gonna do?

back

Good Rats

Have you ever stopped to think about what rats do for run?
Sure they crawl around and scurry,
yeah they're always on the run but a rat sure likes a good time
just like you and me
I'll prove it with a tale about a rat-infested brewery

It started with a little lad named vermin McCann
who fell upon a drink that made him feel like quite a man
he rounded up his furry boys,
though some wore a frown
they quickly changed their tune and they slammed a couple down.

Chorus:
One, two, one-two-three-four!
Come on all you good rats
we'll send you to heaven you'll find the pearly gates in the froth and the foam
'cause in these vats you've made quite a creation
a potion that turned the Guinness to gold!

Like mice behind a piper,
rats from all around soon headed for this factory in old Dublin Town.
They surely heard the news about this fancy new rat-brew they come,
they saw, they had a taste and knocked back a few

The rats were in a tizzy
addicted to the bone the hairy lugs were giddy
they were never going home
like a bunch of drunken pirates prepared to walk the plank they drank,
they sang, they took a plunge and in the beer they sank!

back

The New American Way

"The punishment no longer fits the crime"

Each day when I wake up and I set my best foot forward
I'll make an effort to be all that I can be.
I take a look around me and I wonder how things change so much in the few short years since I was a young boy. 

Do you know what we're fighting for?
I know in an instant I could lose everything I'm working toward. 

Chorus:
I know I'll win my battles
though I fear we'll lose the war to the new American way. 

The morals of this nation's youth have long gone astray lead by tolerance, indifference,
and this kinder gentler way that has corrupted and destroyed so many of our boys and girls
oh Lord I start to wonder will it ever come around?

back

The Torch

Wash away all the lines on your face that show how you've aged it's a long way down
your back's been broken you can't make the rounds the tables are turned as the litany goes...
you're a rotten old man who'll be covered in dirt on your knees
and pray to the maker that caused you to bleed

Chorus:
Turn back the hand on the clock
you're a bitter old man who's done nothing
but work your hands to the bone on the assembly lines
you've grown cold to the touch of the ones that you love
ignorance is something you can't over come but you've passed it on down
and that's something much worse for a bitter young man...
is now taking the torch

Silent scorn - you've taken it out on the ones you adore Inside rage
they've left you before but they'll come back again
they'll pray for you with all their love
but this time your indifference just can't be excused Forced amends
well it's something you'll die with but it goes on for them...
for a bitter young man...has now taken the torch...

back

Fortunes Of War

(Dedicated to the memory of Brian Deneke)

Each town has its cliques those who don't get along
and then there's towns I know where certain kids just don't belong
so know your rivals and watch your back
'cause no one's gonna be there when the enemy attacks

Chorus:
When the justice eludes you it's the fortunes of war
wouldn't things be different had the tables been turned?
If the people won't protect you you must fend for yourself
when the justice eludes you it's the fortunes of war

You drove right over him and then you sped away
how does it feel to kill and know you didn't pay?
So walk away even though a life is gone someday,
you'll know the price when god repays you for your wrongs.

back

A Few Good Men

It's time we stood up for ourselves so get up off your knees.
We'll shake off our detractors and attain our hopes and dreams
and if we fall prey to in-fighting, we're never gonna win,
so put aside your differences, sing loud, sing proud

We won't listen to their stories or be waylaid by their lies
it's a dram that's still attainable for kids like you and I
So if we all stand together singing one defiant song
our voice will reach the heavens, so sing with all your heart

Chorus:
Join us in a song
we shall rise and sing stand up and be counted
sing a song for liberty join us in this song
together we shall sing rise up and be counted
sing it loud, sing it proud

We've been brutalized and crucified, the brunt of their attacks,
is corruption not their trademark and compassion what they lack?
If we can realize our common goals,
the end of which is plain united and now stronger,
their loss is now our gain!

back

Ramble And Roll

Driving down the highway and I've got no lights dreaming about my future,
but it's fading away in the night
what do you want out of life when you don't play by the rules
I've got no expectations and I fully expect to lose

Chorus:
'Cause I was born to ramble I was made to roll living my stickin' life in yesterday's rock and roll

I drink in dirty bars 'cause they serve bigger drinks and I don't own fancy cards
I take the train and man it stinks, yeah, I play music
but I do't hang out with stars and if I need money I'll just pawn a few guitars

I may speak gibberish, but I don't talk shit and I'm not one for book smarts but I'm known for my barroom wit!

back

Caps And Bottles

When I was thirteen, I bought a scally cap looked up to the older guys who drank at the rat
couldn't wait to grow up just to drink with the crew put my name on the map and have a social few

I recall when I was small I thought I'd be legend soon
but that was then and this is now a harder road cannot be found don't get me wrong,
good times were had sometimes the fun outweighed the bad but all in all,
now said and done I can recall more bad than fun

Chorus:
It's killing me - the answer's here, it's plain to see it's taken me
I'm half the man I thought I'd be it's killing me
it's taken years but now I see I'm not the man I thought I'd be

I'd fight them all, big or small angel dust and Bud tall collars up and fists the same
protect your friends and family name had my lumps,
received a few but not near what I deserved
some say this life's my punishment some say this life's my just deserves

back

The Wild Rover

I've been a wild rover for many's the year and I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
and now I'm returning with gold in great store and I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus:
And it's no, nay, never no, nay, never!
No more will I play the wild rover no, never, no more

I went into an alehouse I used to frequent and I told the landlady me money was spent I asked her for credit,
she answered me nay such a custom as yours I could have any day

I took from me pocket ten sovereigns bright and the landlady's eyes opened up with delight
she said she had whiskeys and wines of the best and the words that she told me were only in jest

I went home to my parents, confessed what I'd done
and I asked them to pardon their prodigal son
and when they'd caressed me as oft times before I never will play the wild rover no more

back

The Spicy McHaggis Jig

Spicy was big, burly and strong his pipes were gigantic,
and so was his schlong from city to city running around looking for chicks over four hundred pounds

One night at the pub a girl caught his eye big as a house,
just the right size the broad was enormous,
stacked to the hilt spicy soon noticed a bulge in his kilt the piper delivered his best pick-up line thought to himself,
"this beast is all mine" the portly young lady could stand for no more grabbed his cojones and went for the door

They got to her house and dimmed all the lights Spicy was in for one hell of a night he said that he loved her,
he'd always be true "But Mr. McHaggis, I've only just met you!!"

By now he saw double through his drunken eyes neither had looks or appropriate size he came to his sense,
thought to himself, "At this time of night I won't find nothing else" he took off his shirt,
she lifted her skirt, they pulled out his unit and stared to play she asked for a glove,
he gave her a shove, had baby McHaggis nine months to-the-day.

Three packs a day, he'll smoke 'til he dies Spicy McHaggis, one hell of a guy!

back