Connolly Was There

There is a page in history
Where the workers first fought back
And the might of exploitation
At last began to crack
In farm and field and factory
In workshop, mine and mill
A flame was lit, a beacon bright
That flame is burning still

And Connolly was there
Connolly was there
Bold, brave, undaunted
James Connolly was there

Now William Martin Murphy
And his Dublin millionaires
Tried bribery and corruption
Hypocrisy and prayers
To smash the transport unions
Their scouts they did enlist
But all the gruff was shattered by
A scarlet iron fist

And Connolly was there
Connolly was there
Bold, brave, undaunted
James Connolly was there

When the bosses tried to swat the lads
Way down in Glasgow's Clyde
A voice like roaring thunder
Soon stopped them in their stride
In Liverpool and Belfast
Where the workers lived in hell
James Connolly rose and gave them hope
The truth to you I'll tell

And Connolly was there
Connolly was there
Bold, brave, undaunted
James Connolly was there

Oh, Irish men, the day will come
When workers one and all
Will rise up from their bended knee
And rally to the call
Throw out the bosses' tyranny
And shout from shore to shore
For a working man's republic
And for freedom evermore

And Connolly will be there
Connolly will be there
Bold, brave, undaunted
James Connolly will be there

And Connolly will be there
Connolly will be there
Bold, brave, undaunted
James Connolly will be there