The Wasted Lives

By AM Friday, June 19, 2015

Share Tweet Share Share Email

Martin Dino McGarrigle with a short poem. Dino McGarrigle is a Strabane raconteur.

The lies we were told
Tiocfaidh ár lá written in bold.
For what did the sons of Róisín die?
The baton was passed to you and I.

“Get up off your knees – get up and fight
against perfidious Albion’s might.”
The chance for glory – a martyr’s death
Whispered in pubs in an undertone breath.

But there is no romance in a shit-covered cell
those who were there can tell you it’s hell.
Ten brave men died- I hear you ask “why?”
When it could have been four, Joe need not have died.

So, for what did the sons of Róisín die?
To sit in Stormont, be part of the lie?
Erin go Bragh you’ll still hear them say
Just like we heard them back in the day.

Eyes now wide open, it all seems so clear
We were bought and sold – and then not too dear.
We still know our day will certainly come
Now we longer follow that drum.