Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Joe McDonnel

Joe McDonnel

Joe McDonnel

O' my name is Joe McDonnell From Belfast town I came
That city I will never see again
For in that town of Belfast I spent many happy days
I love that town in oh so many ways.
For it's there I spent my childhood and found for me a wife
And set out to make for her a life.
But all my young ambitions met with bitterness and hate
I soon found myself inside a prison gate.

Cho: And so you call me a terrorist
     While you look down your gun
     When I think of all the deeds that you have done,
     You have plundered many nations
     Divided many lands
     You have terrorized their people
     You ruled with an iron hand.
     And you brought this reign of terror to my land.

Though those many months internment in the and the Maze
I thought about my land thoughout those days
Why my country was divided
Why I was now in jail
Imprisoned without cause or without trial.
And although I love my country
I am not a bitter man
I have seen cruelty and injustice first hand.
Then one fateful morning I shook bold freedom's hand
For right or wrong I tried to free my land.

May God shine on you Bobby Sands for the courage you have shown
May your glory and your fame be widely known.
And Francis Hughs and Ray McCreesh you died unselfishly
And Patsy O'Hara and next in line is me
And all who lie behind me may your courage be the same
And I pray to Gof my life is not in vain.
Oh but sad and bitter was the year of 1981
For everything I lost and nothing won.

TR
oct97