At a cottage door one wintry night
As the snow lay on the ground
Stood a youthful Irish soldier boy
To the mountains he was bound
His mother stood beside him saying
"You'll win my boy don't fear"
And with loving arms around his waist
She tied his bandolier
"Goodbye God bless you mother dear
I hope your heart won't pain
But pray to God your soldier boy
You soon will see again
For when I'm out in the firing line
'Twill be a source of joy
To know that you're a mother proud
Of an Irish soldier boy".
When the fighting it was over
And the flag of truce was raised
The leaders ordered the fire to cease
All Ireland stood amazed
His comrades came to the cottage door
With a note from her pride and joy
Containing the news in sad detail
Of her Irish soldier boy.
"Good bye God bless you mother dear
I'm dying a death so grand
From wounds received in action
Trying to free my native land
But I know we'll meet in heaven above
In a land beyond the sky
There you'll always be in company
with your Irish soldier boy"
(added verse)
"A fond farewell to Donegal,
Kilkenny and Mayo (Up Mayo!)
Tipperary, Derry and Tyrone
where bushes green do grow,
and when at night you kneel and pray
'twill be a source of joy
to know that you're the mother proud
of an Irish soldier boy."