His great-coat and his sash of green were clean and stainless then
A banner flashed beneath the sun, unto the marching men
His coat has many a rent this noon, his sash is torn away
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today
Oh see the host of fleet foot men who sped with faces wan
From farmstead and from fisher's cot along the banks of Bann
They come with vengeance in their eyes too late too late are they
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today
When last he stepped up that street , his shining pike in hand
Behind him marched a grim array, a stalwart and earnest band
For Antrim town! For Antrim Town! He led them to the fray
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today
Up the narrow streets he steps, smiling proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes, both sad and bright are they
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today
Oh Ireland, mother Ireland, you love them still the best
Those fearless men who fighting fall upon your hapless breast
There was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Then he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today
Because he loved his Motherland, because he loved the green
He goes to meet a martyr's fate with proud and joyous gleam
True to the last true to the last he treads the upward way
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today
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