A song by the
Wolfe Tones, based on traditional lyrics. There are a few minor differences in the traditional version from the Wolfe Tones' version, but is generally the same. Based on the notorious
Royal Irish Constabulary in the 1920s, also known as the
Black and Tans.
Come Out Ye Black And Tans!
I was born on a
Dublin street where the Royal drums do beat
And those loving English feet they walked all over us
And every single night when me da'd would come home tight
He'd invite the neighbours out with this chorus
Chorus:
Come out you
black and tans! Come out and fight me like a man!
Show your wife how you won 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 great
Parnell
When you thought him well and truly persecuted
Where are the smears and jeers that you loudly let us hear
When our leaders of
'Sixteen were executed.
Come tell us how you slew them ol' Arabs two by two
Like the
Zulus they had spears and bow and arrows
How bravely you faced one with your
sixteen-pounder gun
And you frightened them damn natives to their marrow
Now the time is coming fast and I think them days are here
When each English on in heel run before us,
And if there be a need then my kids will say, "
Godspeed!"
With a verse of two of singing this mine chorus.