James Connolly

The Words of James Connolly 1903-1908

A Rebel SongCome workers sing a rebel song, A song of love and hate, Of love unto the lowlyAnd of hatred to the great. The great who trod our fathers down, Who steal our children's bread, Whose hands of greed are stretched to robThe living and the dead.chorus: Then sing our rebel song as weproudly sweep alongTo end the age-old tyrannythat makes for human tears. Our march is nearer done, witheach setting of the sun. And the tyrants' might is passingwith the passing of the years. We sing no more of wailingAnd no songs of sighs or tears; High are our hopes and stout our heartsAnd banished all our fears. Our flag is raised above usSo that all the world may see, 'Tis Labour's faith and Labour's armAlone can Labour free.chorusOut of the depths of miseryWe march with hearts aflame; With wrath against the rulers falseWho wreck our manhood's name. The serf who licks the tyrant's rodMay bend forgiving knee; The slave who breaks his slavery's chainA wrathful man must be.chorusOur army marches onwardWith its face towards the dawn, In trust secure in that one thingThe slave may lean upon. The might within the arm of himWho knowing freedom's worth, Strikes hard to banish tyrannyFrom off the face of eart