Old Fenian Gun lyrics

It hung above the kitchen fire, its 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 Killaluk 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