American Old Time Song Lyrics: 26 The Irishmen Of Today

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 26

THE IRISHMEN OF TODAY.
By J. W. Kelley.

I am told every day that the Irish are fools,
And degraded by every shame;
And that every effort they make for their rights,
Adds only disgrace to their name.
Murder is wrong and for vengeance 'twill cry,
To the zenith of heaven's great dome;
But how can a man see the ones that he loves
Just driven like dogs from their home.

Chorus.
So don't form opinions until you know well
Who's to blame, and then what you say
Will cast no reflection on true-hearted men,
The Irishmen of to-day.

I have seen sons and daughters of Irish descent,
Who would fain pass their old parents by;
For maybe their clothes were not cut in the style,
Or their walk wasn't fair to the eye.
And perhaps their old father to educate them
Had spent all that hard labor gains;
To see them grow up to deny both his name
And the blood that sent life through their veins.-Chorus.

Do you think we would stand England's tyranny here
In this mightiest land of the free?
Do you think she don't know it for many a year,
Since she lost the tax on the tea?
Then why should poor Paddy be held in disdain
For holding his place on this earth;
For a man is a coward who would not stand up
And fight for the land of his birth.-Chorus.