Lonnie Donegan Kevin Barry Lyrics

In Early hours one Sunday morning
High upon the gallows tree
Kevin Barry gave his young life
For the cause of liberty

Just a lad of eighteen summers
Yet no one can deny
As he walked to death that morning
He proudly held his head on high

Just before he faced the hangman
In his lonely prison cell
British soldiers tortured Barry
Just because he would not tell

The names of all your comrades
And other things they wished to know
"Turn informer or we'll kill you"
Kevin proudly answered, "no"
Calmly standing to attention While he bade his last farewell
To his broken hearted mother
Whose grief no one can tell
For the cause he proudly cherished

This sad parting had to be
Then to death walked softly smiling
That old Ireland might be free
Another martyr for old Ireland

Another murder for the crown
Whose brutal laws may kill the Irish
But can't keep their spirit down
Lads like Barry are no cowards

From the foe they will not fly
Lads like Barry will free Ireland
For her sake they'll live and die