The Patriot Game lyrics and chords

The chords to The Patriot Game are presented in the key of C.

The song was written by Dominic Behan. It tells the story of Fergal O’Hanlon, a young IRA volunteer who fought to unite the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland. O’Hanlon was highly critical of rebels who accepted that Northern Ireland would remain part of Britain.

He was killed whilst taking part in an attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1957, a month before his 21st birthday.

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[chordsandlyrics]Come [C]all you young [F]re[Em]bels and [G7]list while I [C]sing
For [G]love of one’s [C]land [F]is a [Em]terrible [Am]thing
It [G]banishes [C]fear [F]with the [C]speed of a [F]flame
[C]And it makes us all [F]part [Em]of the [G7]patriot [F-C]game[/chordsandlyrics]

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My name is O’Hanlon, I’m just gone sixteen
My home is in Monaghan, there I was weaned
I learned all my life cruel England to blame
And so I’m a part of the patriot game

It’s barely a year since I wandered away
With the local battalions of the bold IRA
I read of our heroes and wanted the same
To play up my part in the patriot game

They told me how Connolly was shot in a chair
His wounds from the fighting all bleeding and bare
His fine body twisted all battered and lame
They soon made me part of the patriot game

This Ireland of mine has for long been half free
Six counties are under John Bull’s Monarchy
But still De Valera is greatly to blame
For shirking his part in the Patriot game

I don’t mind a bit if I shoot down police
They are lackeys for war never guardians of peace
And yet at deserters I’m never let aim
The rebels who sold out the patriot game

And now as I lie with my body all holes
I think of those traitors who bargained and sold
I’m sorry my rifle has not done the same
For the Quislings who sold out the patriot game

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Lyrics and Chords

The Patriot Game lyrics and chords print version

Come [C]all you young [F]re[Em]bels and [G7]list while I [C]sing
For [G]love of one’s [C]land [F]is a [Em]terrible [Am]thing
It [G]banishes [C]fear [F]with the [C]speed of a [F]flame
[C]And it makes us all [F]part [Em]of the [G7]patriot [F-C]game

My name is O’Hanlon, I’m just gone sixteen
My home is in Monaghan, there I was weaned
I learned all my life cruel England to blame
And so I’m a part of the patriot game

It’s barely a year since I wandered away
With the local battalions of the bold IRA
I read of our heroes and wanted the same
To play up my part in the patriot game

They told me how Connolly was shot in a chair
His wounds from the fighting all bleeding and bare
His fine body twisted all battered and lame
They soon made me part of the patriot game

This Ireland of mine has for long been half free
Six counties are under John Bull’s Monarchy
But still De Valera is greatly to blame
For shirking his part in the Patriot game

I don’t mind a bit if I shoot down police
They are lackeys for war never guardians of peace
And yet at deserters I’m never let aim
The rebels who sold out the patriot game

And now as I lie with my body all holes
I think of those traitors who bargained and sold
I’m sorry my rifle has not done the same
For the Quislings who sold out the patriot game

Videos
Lyrics and Chords