Black 47 - San Patricio Brigade lyrics

I came to this country an innocent boy

From the green fields of Galway

When the hunger was clawin' at me

Came for redemption, respect and regard

All I got was new masters

And a kick up the arse

Oh, they beat me and robbed me

On the streets of New York

When all that I wanted

Was an honest day's work

Saying "get up now, Paddy,

You're an ignorant sort

Far worse than a beast

You won't do what you're told"

Oh, they spat at my crucifix

Laughed at my church

They called me a papist

And many things worse

I soaked up their insults

And I swore revenge

Send them Know-Nothing bastards

Straight back to hell

I joined up their army,

My fortune to make

But my captain was just another

Nativist snake

He beat me and starved me

Insulted my Race

By the time I hit Texas

I was ready to break

Hiya, le hiya

Oh, hey San Patricio

So far from your homeland

Carinos we miss you oh

Hiya, le hiya

Oh, hey San Patricio

We'll never forget you

We'll always remember

The San Patricio Brigade...

The Mexican people

They treated us great

We danced at their weddings

And sang at their wakes

We fought in their battles

And where'er we'd go

Hiya le mad Irish

San Patricio

Oh, we fought the invader

And held him at bay

At the battle of San Angel

And Buena Vista

If Santa Anna had not fled Churabasco

We'd be chasing Know-Nothings

Up past Ohio

Hiya, le hiya

Oh, hey San Patricio...

They took us prisoner

When our bullets ran out

And they tried us in

Their military court

Not a word 'bout oppression

Or baiting our Race

My captain passed sentence

His eyes filled with hate

To death on the gallows

We would not bend our knee

So they murdered us

Far from Galway's green fields

We fought for liberty

Defense of our creed

So to hell with Know-Nothings

Their kith, kin and seed

Hiya, le hiya

Oh, hey San Patricio...