Song Information

Song Title

The Boys of Wexford

Song Lyrics

In comes the captain’s daughter,
The captain of the Yeos,
Saying brave united Irish men,
We’ll ne’er again be foes.

A thousand pounds I’ll give you,
And fly from home with thee,
And dress myself in man’s attire,
And fight for liberty!

chorus: We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand,
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land.

And when we left the cabin boys,
We left in right good will,
To see our friends and neighbours
That were at Vinegar Hill!

A young man from our ranks,
A cannon he let go;
He slapt it into Lord Mountjoy-
A tyrant he laid low.

We bravely fought and conquered
At Ross and Wexford town;
And if we failed to keep them,
‘Twas drink that brought us down

We had no drink beside us
On Tubber’neering’s day,
Depending on the long bright pike
And well it worked its way!

They came into the country
Our blood to waste and spill;
But let them weep for Wexford
And think of Oulast Hill!

‘Twas drink that still betrayed us
Of them we had no fear;
For everyman could do his part
Like Forth and Shelmalier

My curse upon all drinking!
It made our hearts full sore;
for bravery won each battle,
But drink lost evermore

And, if for want for leaders,
We lost at Vinegar Hill
We’re ready for another fight
And love our country still

Song First Line

In comes the captain's daughter

Chords In Text

T: Boys From Wexford, The
M: 4/4
R: barndance
Key: Gmaj
D2 |
G3 A GF E<D | d3 e d2 c2 | B2 G2 BA GF | E4 E2 F2 |
G3 A GF E<D | d3 e d2 c2 | B2 G2 BA GF | G4 G2d2 |
e2 c2 g3 e | d4 B2 d2 | c2 B2 A2 G2 | E6 F2 |
G3 A GF E<D | d3 e d2 c2 | B2 G>A BA GF | G4 G2 ||

Chord Tab

Link to Song

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmBTjeowz4k

Comments

Lyrics: Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-1883)

Tune: Arthur Warren Darley (1873–1929)

 

“The Boys of Wexford” (also known as The Flight of the Earls) is a ballad commemorating the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and, more specifically, the Wexford Rebellion. The aim of rebellion was to remove English control from Irish affairs and it’s failure resulted in the 1801 Act of Union.