Reply #72: A text book case...

[Bridget Burke]

Oh, I'll tell you a tale of peace and love
Of a land that reigns all lands above
May peace and plenty be her share
Who kept our homes from want and care
Oh, God bless England is our prayer

Now our fathers oft were naughty boys
For pikes and guns are dangerous toys
At Ballinahabwee and at Bunker's hill
We made poor England cry her fill
But old Brittania loves us still

Now, when we were savage, fierce and wild
She came as a mother to her child
Gently raised us from the slime
And kept our hands from hellish crime
And she sent us to heaven in our own good time

Well, now Irish men forget the past
And think of the day that's coming fast
When we shall all be civilized
Neat and clean and well advised
Oh, won't mother England be surprised?

Written by Tommy Makem, who sang it with the Clancy Brothers. I've omitted a few "whack fol the diddy"'s.