Connolly Was There

Words by Dominic Behan, Music traditional

Well there is a page in history when the workers they fought back
When the might of exploitation at last began to crack
In farm and field and factory, in workshop, mine and rail
A flame is lit; a beacon bright; that flame is burning still

Chorus

And Connolly was there, Connolly was there
Bold, brave and undaunted; James Connolly was there.

Now William Martin Murphy and his Dublin Millionaires
Tried bribery, corruption, hypocrisy and prayers
To spite the Transport Union their scabs they did enlist
But all their graft was shattered by a scarlet iron fist

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When the bosses tried to sweat the lads way down on Glasgow’s Clyde
A voice like roaring thunder soon shook them in their stride
In Liverpool and Belfast where worker lives in Hell
But Connolly rose and gave them hope, the truth to you I tell.

Chorus

Oh Irishmen the day will come when workers one and all
will rise up from their bended knee and rally to the call
Throw out the bosses tyranny and shout from shore to shore
For a workers’ Republic and freedom evermore.

Chorus