The Makem & Spain Brothers: The Tradition Continues
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LORD NELSON


(air: 'The Sash my Father Wore')

Lord Nelson stood in pompous state upon his pillar high
And down along O'Connell Street, he cast a wicked eye
He thought how this barbaric race had fought the British crown
Yet they were content to let him stay right here in Dublin town

Chorus:
So remember brave Lord Nelson boys, he had never known defeat
And for his reward, they stuck him up in the middle of O'Connell Street

Well for many years, Lord Nelson stood and no one seemed to care
He'd squint at Dan O'Connell, who was standing right down there
He thought "The Irish like me or they wouldn't let me stay
That is except those blighters that they call the I.R.A."

Chorus

And then in 1966, on March the seventh day
A bloody great explosion made Lord Nelson rock and sway
He crashed and Dan O'Connell cried in woeful misery
"There are twice as many pigeons now will come and sit on me"

So remember brave lord Nelson boys, he had never known defeat
And for his reward, they blew him up in the middle of O'Connell Street

 

- Words by Tommy Makem
on subway train in New York
Mar. 8, 1966
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