Marc Gunn - Old Fenian Gun lyrics

It hung above the kitchen fire. It's barrel long and brown And one day with a boy's desire, I climbed and took it down My father's eyes in anger flashed. He cried ""what have you done?! I wish you'd left it where it was, That's my old Fenian gun"". I fondled it with love and pride. I looked it o'er and o'er I placed it on my shoulder And I marched across the floor My father's anger softened And he shared my boyish fun "Ah, well"" he said "'tis in your breed like that old Fenian gun". I remember '67 well when lads like you and me All thought we'd strike another blow to set old Ireland free. But broken were our golden hopes I was long months on the run But it did good work for Ireland then that brown old Fenian gun. I was down then in k**aluk t'was the hottest fight of all. And you can see he burned his arm there's a mark still on the ball I hope the young lads growing now will hold the ground we won And not disgrace the cause in which I held that Fenian gun I placed it o'er the fire once more. I heard my father sigh I knew his thoughts were turning back on days now long gone by And then I vowed within my heart I'll be my father's son And if ever Ireland wants my aid I'll hold the Fenian gun. That's years ago I've grown a man And I've weathered many a gale This last long year's been spent inside a gloomy English jail I've done my part I'll do it still Until the fight is won When Ireland's free she'll bless the men Who held the Fenian gun.