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Dylan stole some from Liam Clancy (For God on My Side) and I stole from both of them

The Patriot Game

oh my name it means nothing
my age it means less
the county I come from
it is in the west
we were brought up here
the laws to abide
this land that we live in
has God on its side.

oh the history books tell it
they tell it so well
the Englishmen charged and
the Irishmen fell
the Englishmen charged and
the Irish they died
both countries were fighting
with God on their side.

the british sent scots to
the north of the isle
they were fond of their flag
and copied their style
but they couldn't conquer
they tried and they tried
and they really believed
they had god on their side

we waged a long war with
this strange enemy
we sang our sad songs
until we were free
we whispered and shouted
we sang and we cried
and we finally won
with god on our side

we took on the scots
the queen and the king
and even our church
kept us on a string
they tested our metal
and tested our pride
now they will know that
we had god on our side

they slowly surrendered
and stayed at home
no longer invading
they left us alone
our land is still green but
it was a rough ride
in time we'll recover
with god on our side

our island's no more
what it used to be
they've watered our blood
put up boundaries
but no need to worry
we will turn the tide
with persistence 'n patience
and god on our side


so ireland was chosen
the best of countries
of all of the places
where you'd want to be
we sang this in songs
so we're not surprised
we knew all along
we have god on our side

daka 12/2007

This should probably be posted on the thread discussing the existence/non existence of God

I think you both stole it from Dominic Behan?

Red Poppy in correct the Patriot Game was indeed written by Dominic Behan sometime in the late fifties.
I remember that he tried to take Dylan to court over the copyright, but as far as I can remember nothing ever happened.

I think that the song must have entered the charts at sometime because when Dominic was playing the folk clubs around Liverpool in the sixties he always introduced the song as 'my shit parade song'.

Looks like a google jobby for later.

Ta Ken

After a very drink fueled evening down in the pub tonight some old Kilarney tinker
told me that it was Liverpool Lou that Dominic always introduced as his 'shit parade song' and not as I thought The Patriot Game.

Dominic Behan singing Liverpool Lou:-

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDWfg3N4cRA

Ta Ken