The South Down Militia
While this song originally belonged entirely to England and her Empire,today it is sung by Irishmen of all types and during the Anglo-Irish War was a great favourite with those who were fighting England and her Empire (Note by DMacD)
I belong to a noble regiment whose deeds are often told,
For on the field of battle they were always brave and bold;
They have loyal hearts as well and are true as any steel,
And the place they show their bravery is on the battlefield.
Chorus
You may talk about your Queen's Guards,Scots Greys and a'
You may sing about your Kilties and the Bonny Forty Twa'
And of every other regiment under the Queen's command,
But them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
Och, boys, but it was grand when we in action first did join
Along with good King Billy at the battle of the Boyne,
Says King James, "I'll take the first train home, it's more than I can stand,
For them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
Now at the Jubilee the Irish Rifles they marched by;
Her majesty observed them with a keen and martialeye;
"Och, Major Wallace" says the Queen,them boys of yours look grand."
"Och, hold your tongue" sayes Wolsely, "them's the terror of the land."
And when we were at Salisbury in the year of '72,
The King and Queen and dukes were there to see the grand review;
"Ach blood and murder" says the Queen, and waved her lily hand,
"Them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
When Kreuger heard the regiment was landed in Capetown,
"De Wet" says he, "we're bet" says he "they've sent for the South Down
For them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
When the Sultan heard the Regiment had reached the Dardanelles
He jumped out of his harem and gave three awful yells,
"Oh Allah, Allah save us - save us or we're damned,
For them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
When we went to Flanders for to fight the bloody Hun
The Kaiser says to Von der Glotz "The war is nearly done.
I never thought the Orange drum would beat the German band,
But them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land."
When we went to Dublin to fight against Home Rule
The Corporation ran away from Dublin to Kilcool,
Then they mobilized the UIL under Stephen Hand,
For them South Down Mileeshy is the terror of the land!