"Derry's Walls" is a historical song sung in
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. North ...
. It commemorates the
Siege of Derry
The siege of Derry in 1689 was the first major event in the Williamite War in Ireland. The siege was preceded by a first attempt against the town by Jacobite forces on 7 December 1688 that was foiled when 13 apprentices shut the gates ...
in 1689.
The author of the words is unknown, and it is sung to the tune of "
God Bless the Prince of Wales.”
A modified rendition is also popular amongst supporters of
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in the Govan district of Glasgow which plays in the Scottish Premiership. Although not its official name, it is often referred to as Glasgow Rangers outside Scotland. The fo ...
Lyrics
Verse 1
The time has scarce gone round boys
Three hundred years ago
When Rebels to old
Derry
Derry, officially Londonderry (), is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fifth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name ''Derry'' is an anglicisation of the Old Irish name (modern Irish: ) meaning 'oak grove'. Th ...
's Walls
Their faces dare not show
When
James
James is a common English language surname and given name:
*James (name), the typically masculine first name James
* James (surname), various people with the last name James
James or James City may also refer to:
People
* King James (disambiguat ...
and all
his rebel band
Came up to Bishops Gate
With heart in hand, and sword and shield
We forced them to retreat.
Chorus.
:We'll fight and won't surrender
:And come when duty calls,
:With heart in hand, and sword and shield
:We'll guard old Derry's Walls.
Verse 2
The blood did flow in crimson streams
Through many a winter's night
They knew the Lord was on their side
To help them in their fight
They Nobly stood upon the walls
Determined not to die,
To fight and gain the victory
And raise the Crimson high;
Chorus.
:We'll fight and won't surrender
:And come when duty calls,
:With heart in hand, and sword and shield
:We'll guard old Derry's Walls.
Verse 3
At last, at last, with one broad side,
Kind heaven sent their aid,
The boom that crossed, The Foyle was broke
And James he was dismayed
The banner, boys, that floated
Was run aloft with joy,
God bless the hands that broke the boom,
And saved the Apprentice Boys!
Chorus.
:We'll fight and won't surrender
:And come when duty calls,
:With heart in hand, and sword and shield
:We'll guard old Derry's Walls.
References
{{authority control
Year of song unknown
Culture of Northern Ireland
Rangers F.C. songs
Songwriter unknown