The Exiled

 

In the north of Ireland internment begun

On the 9 th day of august 1971

Fathers were hounded Brothers and Sons

All locked up in cages no crimes had they done

 

Houses were burned out

Many families fled

To become refugees while others lay dead

On the streets was an army with tanks and guns

My mother said it's time to leave Son

And go

 

All the way to Australia , far away from your heart,

All the way to Australia , but the love for your land

And you'll never part

 

So it's farewell to Derry my family and friends

Goodbye to a life I won't see again

The gun battles haunt me I cannot remain

I'm going to join the exiled

 

I was just 18 years when I stepped on that plane

The decades have passed now I'm boarding again

Sydney 's been good to me that I can say

But the words of my mother won't go away

She cried

 

All the way to Australia , far away from your heart,

All the way to Australia , but the love for your land

And you'll never part

 

 

© Padraig Lalor Sept 2006