E
1. See the fleet foot host of men
A E
That speed with faces wan,
E A E
From farmstead and from fishers' cot,
E H7
Along the banks of Bann;
E A E
They come with vengeance in their eyes
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Too late too late are they,
E
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die
A E
On the bridge of Toome today.
2. Up
the narrow street he stepps
Smiling, proud and young.
About the hemp-rope on his neck
The golden ringlets clung;
There was never a tear in his blue eye,
Both sad and bright are they,
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge of Toome today.
3. When he last stepped up that
street
His shining pike in hand,
Behind him marched in grim array,
A stalwart, earnest band.
For Antrim town, for Antrim town,
He led them to the fray,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge of Toome today.
4. There was never a one of all
your dead
More bravely fell in fray,
Than he who marches to his fate
On the bridge of Toome today;
True to the last, true to the last,
He treads the upward way,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge of Toome today.