1470. The Ballad of Raymond McCreesh (McShane)

One of many songs about the hunger strike of 1981. Ray Mc­Creesh, a vol­un­teer in the Pro­vi­sion­al Irish Re­pub­li­can Army, di­ed af­ter 61 days on hunger strike, as did many others who fought for freedom from British domination. It was written by a man called McShane and recorded by Pádraig Mór in 2002.

Pagan Lord has requested I point out that Raymond McCreesh was responsible for numerous confirmed deaths and countless unknown killings. For more detail, you can see his comments below.

This song was requested by Cyril Devine.

You can see a playlist of my Irish songs here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list...

Lyrics and chords:
E ................................................ A ............... E
The words of this song I wrote one day sadly.
.................................... B7
It was May ’81, a bird sang from a tree
............ A ..................................... E
And I knew it was free by the sweetness of its tune
........................................... A ............... B7 ............ A
As I stood at Raymond’s funeral, that rainy afternoon.
............................................. E
Raymond McCreesh, that brave Irish boy,
A ............................... E ....... B7
Once again Britain stole a mother’s joy.
............... A ..................................... E
Will the cruelty ever stop, or will they ever see
........................... A
Men like young Raymond were born to be free?

Raymond was captured in an ambush one day
As he fought for his country with the bold IRA,
Arrested and beaten, then long years in jail
Then on Hunger-strike suffered for sixty-one days.
His friends inside prison sadly knew what he meant
When before Raymond died this last note he sent
My dear friends I fear, I’ll be home before you.
For the right of my country this thing I must do.

His home town of Camlough is proud of his name
And Armagh will not let his death be in vain,
So young men of Ireland, do what you can.
Let Raymond inspire you to fight for your land.
Raymond McCreesh, that brave Irish boy,
Once again Britain stole a mother’s joy.
Will the cruelty ever stop, or will they ever see
Men like young Raymond were born to be free?

Lyrics and chords of many of my songs are no longer available, as my website has expired. I am currently posting lyrics to the information panels on all my videos and those that are too long to post in full will be found here: https://raymondsfolkpage.wordpress.com