The Battle of Jarama 1937
Andantino
The Brigades fought well – for we knew we must
We offered our lives, for our cause was just
To protect freedom, across the globe we had come
Marching to the sound, of the people’s war drum;
I’m so proud – of what we did
Travelled to Spain, to Defend Madrid.
A boat first to England, then by train
By truck through France and down into Spain
I was told of the Easter, although not there
Sacrifice of James Connelly, shot in a chair.
And I know it is my duty to protect this land
With the boys from Kerry, we all felt so grand.
It was early February, we were there to deliver
Dug in with our rifles – on the bank of the river
We could see Mola’s troops advancing from afar
I heard Frank Ryan’s battle cry, Tiocfaidh Ar La;
The Italian artillery and the German tanks
Spread fear and death – across our ranks,
Spitting hell for justice, our Maxims opened fire
We would not back down, although our position was dire.
Fighting from a trench, to our knees in muck
The incoming shells – slaughter those ‘out of luck’.
Many a good man dies, each bloody day
Among the mayhem, panic and blood I pray,
From my letters home you would surely see
What this war for freedom, means to me.
Although I dare not relay – the horrific death toll
To sweet Bridie, my girl from Listowel;
I‘ll return to her arms, with many a tail
And we will stroll once more by the banks of the Feale.
Throughout February the battle, it raged on
I took some solace – in the Soldiers’ Song.
Smell of explosions and fatality so vile
The bodies of my comrades, they lie in a pile,
I’ve seen more – than a 19 year old should
With my rifle and tears, on Jarama I stood.
We smoked and talked, of vicious damned war
Of courage of friends and the carnage we saw;
With the fight now lost, it is now over for me
They‘re sending us home – I’m going back to Tralee.
Receding from bombing, the deadly air raids
But with pride I’ll always remember, The International Brigades.
