Come Out Ye Black and Tans
An Irish Rebel Song
The Black and Tans as a subject still arouses controversy in Ireland. They were former soldiers brought into Ireland by the government in London after 1918 to assist the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RIC).
Come Out Ye Black and Tans was recorded by Paddy and Bill on the Live At The Radisson CD.
Lyrics
I was born in a Dublin Street where the Loyal drums did beat
And those loving English feet they walked all over us
And every single night when Da would come home tight
He'd invite the neighbors over with this chorus
Chorus:
Come out ye black and tans
Come out and fight me like a man
Show your wife how you won those medals down in Flanders
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away
From the green and lovely lanes of Killeshandra
Come let us hear you tell how you slandered the great Parnell
When you thought him well and truly persecuted
Where are the sneers and jeers that you loudly let us hear
When our leaders of 1916 were executed
(Repeat Chorus)
Come tell us how you slew them old Arabs two by two
Like the Zulus they had spears and bows and arrows
How bravely you faced one with your 16 pounder gun
And you frightened them damn niggers to the marrow
(Repeat Chorus)
Now the time is coming fast and I think them days are here
When each English shawneen he'll run before us
And if there'll be a need our kids will say God speed
With a verse or two of singing this chorus
(Repeat Chorus)
Traditional