The Scarriff Martyrs lyrics and chords

The chords to The Scarriff Martyrs are presented in the key of D. The lyrics are about four young men, Alfie Rodgers, Michael Egan, Michael McMahon and Martin Gildea, who were Irish Volunteers during the War of Independence.

They were arrested in mid-November 1920 by the Black and Tans. They were then taken to the bridge of Killaloe and shot dead on 16 November 1920. They became known as the Scarriff Martyrs and people still lay wreaths at the bridge of Killaloe around the 15-16th November every year in their memory.

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[chordsandlyrics]The [D]dreadful [G]news through [D]Ire[A]land has spread from [G]shore to [D]shore
For such a deed no living [Am]man has [G]ever [C]heard be[D]fore
The deeds of Cromwell in his [Am]time I’m [G]sure no [C]worse could [D]do
Than those black and [G]Tans who [D]murdered [A]those four youths at [G]Killa[D]loe[/chordsandlyrics]

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Three of the four were on the run and searched for all around
Until with this brave Egan lad from Williamstown was found
They asked him were the boys inside; in honour he proved true
Because he would not tell the pass he was shot in Killaloe

On the fourth day of November that day of sad renown
They were sold and traced through Galway to that house in Williamstown
They never got a fighting chance but were captured while asleep
And the way that they ill-treated them would cause your blood to creep

They bound them tight both hands and feet with twine they could not break
And they brought them down to Killaloe by steamer on the lake
Without clergy, judge or jury upon the bridge they shot them down
And their blood flowed with the Shannon, convenient to the town

With three days of perseverance, their bodies they let go
At ten o’clock at night their funeral passed through Ogonolloe
They were kept in Scarriff chapel for two nights and a day
Now in that place of rest they lie, kind people for them pray

If you were at their funeral it was an awful sight
To see the local clergy and they all dressed up in white
Such a sight as these four martyrs in one grave was never seen
For they died to save the flag they loved, the orange white and green

Now that they are dead and gone I hope in peace they’ll rest
Like all their Irish brave comrades, forever among the blessed
The day will come when all will know who sold the lives away
Of young McMahon Rogers, valiant Egan and Gildea

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Lyrics and Chords

The Scarriff Martyrs lyrics and chords print version

The [D]dreadful [G]news through [D]Ire[A]land has spread from [G]shore to [D]shore
For such a deed no living [Am]man has [G]ever [C]heard be[D]fore
The deeds of Cromwell in his [Am]time I’m [G]sure no [C]worse could [D]do
Than those black and [G]Tans who [D]murdered [A]those four youths at [G]Killa[D]loe

Three of the four were on the run and searched for all around
Until with this brave Egan lad from Williamstown was found
They asked him were the boys inside; in honour he proved true
Because he would not tell the pass he was shot in Killaloe

On the fourth day of November that day of sad renown
They were sold and traced through Galway to that house in Williamstown
They never got a fighting chance but were captured while asleep
And the way that they ill-treated them would cause your blood to creep

They bound them tight both hands and feet with twine they could not break
And they brought them down to Killaloe by steamer on the lake
Without clergy, judge or jury upon the bridge they shot them down
And their blood flowed with the Shannon, convenient to the town

With three days of perseverance, their bodies they let go
At ten o’clock at night their funeral passed through Ogonolloe
They were kept in Scarriff chapel for two nights and a day
Now in that place of rest they lie, kind people for them pray

If you were at their funeral it was an awful sight
To see the local clergy and they all dressed up in white
Such a sight as these four martyrs in one grave was never seen
For they died to save the flag they loved, the orange white and green

Now that they are dead and gone I hope in peace they’ll rest
Like all their Irish brave comrades, forever among the blessed
The day will come when all will know who sold the lives away
Of young McMahon Rogers, valiant Egan and Gildea

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Lyrics and Chords