American Old Time Song Lyrics: 12 Captain Dwyer

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 12

CAPTAIN DWYER

At length, brave Captain Dwyer, you and your trusty men
Are scented o'er the mountains and tracked unto the Glen; .
Sleep not, but watch and listen, keep ready gun and ball-,
For the enemy knows your hiding place to-night in Wildy Mall.

They searched the valley all that night, and toward the dawn of day
Discovered where those hunted and dreaded heroes lay;
Then 'round the little cottage they formed into a ring,
And called on Captain Dwyer to surrender to the king.

Then Captain Dwyer answered: "Unto this house we came,
Unmasked by these good people-they cannot be to blame,
So let these helpless parents and children pass you through,
And when they're placed in safety, I'll tell you what well do."

'Twas done; then said bold Dwyer, "Now let the work begin.
You are a hundred outside, we only four within;
We have heard your haughty summons, and this is our reply:
' We are true united Irishmen, we'll fight until we die.'"

Then burst the war's red lightning and poured the leaden rain,
The hills around re-echoed, the thunder pealed again;
So many soldiers falling, brave Dwyer saw with pride.
But, alas, one gallant comrade was wounded by his side.

But still there's three remaining good battle for to do,
Their arms are strong and steady, their aim is quick and true;
But, hark! what furious shouting the savage soldiers raise.
The house is fired about their heads, the roof is in a blaze.

Then higher every moment the lurid flames arose,
And louder swelled the laughter and cheering of the foes;
When up spoke brave McAlister, the weak and wounded man,
"You shall escape, my comrades, and this shall be your plan:

Place in my hand a musket and lie ye on the floor,
I'll stand before the soldiers and open wide the door;
They'll pour into my bosom the fire of their array,
And when their guns are empty dash through them and away."

He stood before the foemen revealed amidst the flame,
Out of their leveled pieces the wished-for volley came;
Up sprung the three survivors for whom our hero died,
But Captain Dwyer only got through the ranks outside

He baffled his pursuers, who followed like the wind,
He swam the river Slaney and left them far behind;
And many was the red coat he promised soon should fall,
For those three loyal comrades who died in Wildy Mall.