EAMONN ROE

I was young when I first met him, he is dead and I am old,

But I never will forget him, or the stories that he told.

When we roamed Tyrone together in the sunshine or the snow

Faith we didn’t mind the weather, did myself and Eamonn Roe

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He was long and lean and wiry, not an ounce of flesh to spare,

And his temper was as fiery as his mop of flaming hair.

He could dance a reel, or sing a song to set the heart aglow,

And he never did a wilful wrong, bold reckless Eamonn Roe.

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I mind the time, and always will, before the trouble years

When he and I went out to drill with Redmond’s Volunteers.

We marched and sloped our wooden guns and made a gallant show

“We’ll change them yet for better ones, please God,” said Eamonn Roe.

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1914, the German threat and England went to war,

We can’t leave Belgium to her fate, the cry rang near and far,

I joined the English Army but Eamonn wouldn’t go.

“There’s cleaner work for Irishmen at home” said Eamonn Roe.

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I weathered thro’ the battle storm, but God, I wouldn’t brag,

I wore an English uniform and fought for England’s flag,

When I should have been in Ireland, to strike a true man’s blow,

Or roam the hills, a hunted man, along with Eamonn Roe.

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For Eamonn took the Patriot’s way of little recompense,

How dare you spineless shoneens say, the boy had little sense,

He fought for slaves like you and I and fell at Pettigo,

I wish I had been there to die beside you, Eamonn Roe

I’m old, and know for certain that what God ordains must be,

I also know that Eamonn was a better man than me, 

And I cannot help but think, that when it came his time to go, 

The God that pardoned Judas, wasn’t hard on Eamonn Roe.

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