Irish Republican Army - Socom: Combined Assault
[IRA] Óglaigh na hÉireann
The Smashing of the Van
Attend you gallant Irishmen and listen for a while
I'll sing to you the praises of the sons of Erin's Isle
It's of those gallant heroes who voluntarily ran
To release two Irish shamrocks from an English prison van
Chorus
On the eighteenth of September, it was a dreadful year
When sorrow and excitement ran throughout all Lancashire
At a gathering of Irish boys they volunteered each man
To release those Irish prisoners out of the prison van
Chorus
Hurrah! My lads for freedom, let's all join heart and hand
May the Lord have mercy on the boys that helped to smash the van
In Manchester one morning those heroes did agree
Their leaders, Kelly and Deasy, should have their liberty
They drank a health to Ireland, and soon made up a plan
To meet the prisoners on the road and take and smash the van
Chorus
With courage bold those heroes went and soon the van did stop
They cleared the guards from the back and front then smashed in the top
But blowing open of the lock, they chanced to kill a man
So three must die on the scaffold high for smashing of the van
Chorus
So now kind friends I will conclude, I think it would be right
That all true-hearted Irishmen together should unite
Together should sympathize, my friends, and do the best we can
To keep the memories ever green of the boys that smashed the van
Chorus