GUNRUNNERS

When I was eighteen years of age
In Carsons army I engaged
To fight for Ulster against home rule
A mauser rifle was my tool
On Covenant day my first parade
When over half a million promised aid
We go to fight the enemy now
So we landed fifty thousand guns at Larne
We go to fight the enemy now
So we landed fifty thousand guns at Larne

That April night i'll never forget
Dispersing guns to face the threat
Throught the length of our beloved land
The die was cast, we made our stand
But another foe was before us now
Home rule was dead beneath the plough
When across to France our divisions sailed
Britain called we would not fail
When across to France our divisions sailed
Britain called we would not fail

We were Gunrunners, Gunrunners

So the storys told and its understood
Of a charge that morning, Thiepval Wood
When Ulsters flower their lives did give
So that we at home could in freedom live
Well alas I fell on the Sommes great shore
But not alone there were thousands more
From every street, town and dale
A father, son or brother fell
From every street, town or dale
A father, son or brother fell

They were Gunrunners, Gunrunners. Yes Gunrunners


BILLY McFADZEAN

Let me tell you a story of honour and glory
Of a young Belfast soldier Billy McFadzean by name
For King and for Country Young Billy died bravely
And won the VC on the fields of the Somme

Chorus:
Gone Like the snowflake that melts on the river
Gone like the first rays of days early dawn
Like the foam from the fountain
Like the mist from the mountain
Young Billy McFadzeans dear life has gone

Now Billy lies only were the red Flanders poppy
In wildest profusion paints the field of the brave
No piper recalling his deeds all forgotten
For Billy McFadzean has no known grave

Chorus

So let us remember that brave Ulster soldier
The VC he won th young life that he gave
For duty demanding his courage outstanding
Private Billy McFadzean of the U.V.F


ARMAGH BRIGADE

Billy Gray Billy Gray will you not come to me
Bright light has turned to darkness in this trench I cannot see
And my sight has just been shattered by the shell that blinded me
Fighting with the Armagh Brigade

For I remember when all my associates in arms
We gathered from towns all our villages and farms
In answer to the echo of Carsons loud alarm
We forme up the Armagh Brigade

We took those smuggled rifles from off the Clyde Valley
To fight the right for England or whatever enemy
Who would bring us into bondage or deny our liberty
We marched with the Armagh Brigade

I've always been so puzzeled and I cannot understand
Why we're fighting here in France and not in Ulsters land
And knowing Englands promises are as firm as drifting sand
I dont believe a word they say

Now when we charged that morning with a great and mighty yell
Right through the German trenches how far I cannot tell
I prepared myself for heaven but I marched right into hell
Along with the Armagh Brigade

I hear the booming thunder and the stutter of the guns
I hear the angry screaming of Ulsters fallen sons
In this bloody slaughterhouse of the Battle of the Somme
Im dyin' with the Armagh Brigade

For Ulster is my heritage and Ulster is my cause
I laugh at her futility her glory is a fraud
But im bleeding heavily and I must go to God
Im leavin' the Armagh Brigade

Billy Gray, Billy Gray will you not come to me
I'm far away from my home my wife and family
Will you come and speak some comfort and be a friend to me
If your not dead yet Billy Gray


POPPY FIELDS

Theres a town just north of Belfast white houses row on row
Where was raised an Ulster family how proudly they did grow
Now proud and happy parents watched there son grow to a man
And they taught him truth and justice in this part of Ireland

Then one day there came a letter with his comrades he would go
To a place across the water where the tears and blood would flow
So he waved farewell to Ulster and next morning at the dawn
A broken hearted mother sent her son off to the Somme

Then one night as she lay sleeping in a dream there at the door
Stood a handsome looking soldier the Kings colours he had wore
He said mother dont you know me let me in im feeling cold
But the crimson blood upon his chest the fateful story told

Theres a town just north of Belfast where a father proudly cries
And a broken hearted mother wipes the tears falling from her eyes
Theres a graveyard north of Theipval the white crosses row on row
Where he sleeps beside his comrades now
In the fields where the red poppies grow
Yes he sleeps beside his comrades now
In the fields where the red poppies grow



Songs of the Volunteers

HERE LIES A SOLDIER

In dungeon deep, I know what fates awaits me
Tied hand and foot, the foe has bound me fast
And in my pain, I pray my God above me
Will grant this wish I know will be my last

Don't bury me in Erin's fenian valley
Take me home to Ulster let me rest
And on my gravestone carve a simple message
Here lies a soldier of the UVF

chorus

Here lies a soldier, here lies a soldier
Who fought and died for what he thought was best
Here lies a soldier, here lies a soldier
Here lies a soldier of the UVF.

So gently drape the red hand round my shoulders
Pin no heroes medals on my chest
But if they ask you, will you kindly tell them
Here lies a soldier of the UVF

chorus:-


WILL YOU STAND

Oh! Will you stand. Oh! Will you stand
With the Ulster Volunteer Force as a patriotic band
Would you fight until the death would you join the UVF
If you can you're a man then you'll stand

chorus

And when the sound of the battle is over
It's shoulder to shoulder we'll stand
To remember the brave young Ulster soldiers
Who fought for the flag of the red hand

Oh! Will you stand Oh! Will you stand
Would you fight for God and Ulster and to keep it British land
With rifle and grenade would you serve the old brigade
If you can you're a man then you'll stand

chorus:-

Oh! Will you stand Oh! Will you stand
Would you bear and swear allegiance to the flag of the red hand
Would you fight and never fear with the Ulster Volunteers
If you can you're a man then you'll stand

chorus:-

Oh! Will you stand Oh! Will you stand
Would you travel the road where the brave and bold must go
Would you wear the black cockade
Would you serve the old brigade
If you can you're a man then you'll stand



BRIAN ROBINSON

Let me tell you of a story fo fame and gallantry
What the name of Brian Robinson it means to you and me
It's a name that stand for courage and it stands for liberty
On the 2nd day of September come and drink this toast with me

So now here's to Brian Robinson a brave and loyal man
And to every Ulster Volunteer who has fought for the Red Hand
They have made the greatest sacrifice and we have seen the best
So lift your glass to Brian and to the men of the UVF

And to the men behind the wire for they have stood the test
Let's not forget their sacrifice for they are Ulster's best
Let us fight now for their liberty and freedom from Long Kesh
With the cry 'For God and Ulster' free the men of the UVF



NUMBER ONE PLATOON

I'll remember I'll try, it was nearly July
As we walked down the road I'll remember the year
There was me, there was Sam, Jimmy Sloan and McCann
Would enlist in the Volunteers
And the man says to me, 'Boy I hope you will see
'And remember this day all the things you've been taught'
It could be now or then, but we'll fight once again
For the things that our grandfathers fought.
And I swore like the rest to the badge on my breast
To the gun in my hand I will fight for my land
With my hand held high I took that vow
And I joined Number One Platoon

And deep down inside my heart fills with pride
I remember the men who have fought through the years
I could name quite a few but to me and to you
They were Ulster Volunteers
And to all here today just some words I must say
To remember this day
All the things you've been taught
It could be now or then, but we'll fight once again
For the things that our grandfathers fought.
And I swore like the rest to the badge on my breast
To the gun in my hand I will fight for my land
With my hand held high I took that vow
And I joined Number One Platoon.


NUMBER FIVE

Gallant men defend our rights
Through this land both day and night
Gallant men that serve and strive
God and Ulster and Number Five

Famous deeds will now unfold
Handed down now to be told
Famous deeds that will survive
Fame and glory and Number Five

Through these years of ill repute
Fighting men we now salute
Fighting men simply the best
These are the men of the U.V.F

Gallant men that serve and strive
God and Ulster and Number Five
Famous deeds that will survive
Fame and glory and Number Five


SOME GAVE ALL

I had a friend called Trevor King a lot of people new his name
And a friend to all was he
A volunteer right from the start
He fought for Ulster with all his heart
Just to keep his province free
I wont forget the day that he died
I wont forget the look in his eye
Or these words that he said to me

chorus
All gave some, Some gave all
Some came through for the red white and blue
Some had to fall
So if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties, and recall
That some gave all

Trevor King is no longer hee, but his words ring oh so clear
And they travel, across our land
For his friends he gave his all, stood his ground and took the fall
Just to help his fellow man
So love your country and live it proud
And dont forget all those men who died
My people can you see

chorus:-


ULSTER BADGE

They've an Ulster badge upon their breast
These are the men of the U.V.F
Men who mean these words he'd say
To fight against the I.R.A

Now big Trevor was our number one
Swore to fight the rebel scum
To all his men these words he'd say
Death to all the I.R.A

These fighting men from far and wide
Hell towards they fought and died
Now their sons let their fathers rest
To guard the badge of the U.V.F

Now watch these men they dress in black
And when they move they never turn back
And when the scums reduced to tears
It's one more victory for the Volunteers

So on your feet and toast with me
To the U.V.F and victory
For we'll win and do our best
For we are the men of the U.V.F

repeat first verse:-


SUICIDE BATTALION

Proudly they guard this land from shore to shore
Bravley they stand for Ulster evermore
Secret in deeds courage is the test
Of the suicide battalion of the U.V.F

They fought and they won the battle of the some
But for Blair and Dublin the fight will still go on
For God and for ULster is cast on every breath
Of the suicide battalion of the U.V.F

And some day soon they'll go proudly on parade
Shoulder to shoulder right up the Shankill Road
Loudly we'll cheer the heroes of the west
The suicide battalion of the U.V.F


THE MEN BEHIND THE WIRE

T,was a cold and gray November morn, as I left Belfast town
In a cold and lonely prison van, for Long Kesh I was bound
'Cause my spirit was unbroken and my heart was still un-found
Why, I knew that i'd soon be with the men behind the wire

When the judge had passed my sentence and the warder took me down
I cried out no surrender bless the red hand and the crown
But grant me just one favour, that is my one desire
Please let me serve my sentence with the men behind the wire

There were many things so strange to me and many more I knew
His only cry was Loyalty to the old red white and blue
And the love for dear old Ulster, Even in the darkest hour
He'd shine with them these loyal men, the men behind the wire

And when this war is over and our victory is won
Let us not forget the sacrifice made by these loyal sons
They were staunch and true for me and you so lift your glasses higher
Where would we have been without them, the men behind the wire


U.V.F HERO

A hero comes to our town tomorrow
A men who's been sent to set us free
He's wearing an Ulster badge it's true
And carrying flags red white and blue
And we will be waiting here and ready
To lift up our arms at his command
A UVF soldier bold and true
An army of men to follow through

chorus
And our flags will fly on high forever
And our sons will sing our victory song
Our voices will rise with one accord now
For we have been silent far too long

We'll march forward on the road together
Our leader will help us to stand strong
The hero will purge the rebel band
And he will reclaim our glorios land
And when we have got the rebels running
Surrendering to our mighty flag
The red white and blue will fly on high
And Ulster is free will be our cry

repeat chorus twice:
For we have been silent far too long


SWEENYES (men in number two)

Now come listen to my words, verse or two I'll say
In memory of these men, who fight for us today
Across the streets of Ulster, the faithful and the few
But the bravest of them all are the men in number two

If Ulster had been traitors, when Britain went to war
We,d be much better thought of, much better than we are
Sinn Fein they are applauded for the deeds that they will do
But there's no applause from Britain, for the men of number two

So come and stand in memory, for those who fought and died
Who gave their lives for Ulster, come remember them with pride
Come and stand in memory, together me and you
With Frenchie and with Herbie, and the men in number two

We'll stand firm here in Ulster, for upon some future day
She may rue this great betrayal. and perhaps it is to late
And once again have cause to call upon the chosen few
The Ulster Volunteers, and the men in number two

So come and stand in memory for those who fought and died
Who gave their lives for Ulster, come remember them with pride
Come and stand in memory, together me and you
With Frenchie and with Herbie, and the men in number two


THE PRISON YEARS

I still recall the moment, when my father went away
They locked him up in Long Kesh, For being Loyal so they say
I heard he was a hero, in the U.V.F it seems
They told me to be proud of him, to hold on to his dream
So I took the oath and joined them, the men in Sweeneys Team


The years went by so quickly, and they set my father free
We'd hardly been together, when the Bastards got to me
I became a Loyalist Prisoner, as my father had before
I learned the price of freedom, at the slamming of the door
And my love for Ulster lived with me, even in these days


Chorus:

Say it loud, Say it Clear
I'm a soldier, an Ulster Volunteer
Proud to be, a Y.C.V
And to serve with the men in Sweeneys team


My father came to see me, as often as he could
His knowledge was astounding, his advice was always good
Remember where you come from, keep your head held high
Be proud of your history, Ulsters flag must fly
And if you don't give up don't give in, you'll win the fight some day


(chorus)


I wasn't there that evening, when my father passed away
And though he hadn't spoken, I knew just what he'd say
Be true to your religion, Remember Queen and Crown
Always love your comrades, never let them down
Thats what he would have told me, in the living years

(chorus x3)

Songs of Loyalty

LOYAL HEART

From Loyal veins my life I drew
In Loyal arms I lay
From Loyal Lips that Lessons new
That led me day by day
And hearts to rest in Loyal Breast
And rocked on Loyal knee
They wore and grew and thank God too
A Loyal Heart in me,



Then came the day for all to view
When scorn and lies held sway
Those evil men with no virtue
They swore my life away
But for dare or ill I am Loyal Still
They never can decree
To force retreat or stop the beat
The Loyal Heart in me


At times I sigh at times I rest
Amid Scenes and faces strange
The passing years have in my breast
Brought little or no change
Memories of old ever bright I hold
Since rocked on Loyal knee
And for her sake no jail will break
This Loyal Heart in me.



THE SPIRIT OF ULSTER

There is a spirit in every heart we know
That helps to guide us in our fight against the foes
And through the years has erased our fears
Stands now as a tribute to the memories
of our fallen Volunteers


Chorus:

Feel the wind of change through the land
Feel the spirit of the Red Hand
And in this cold dark night, keep it shining bright
Carry it like a flame in your heart
Carry it like a flame in your heart


And through it's history our people
They have fought to maintain this Union
While others they have sought
To have a say, or take away
The spirit that remains within
The heart of every Ulsterman Today


(chorus)



A FATHERS ADVICE

Said a father to his son
"Oh my boy the time has come"
Your country it is calling unto thee
For those rebels once again
To unite us is their aim
And together we must stand to keep her free


Chorus:

Remember, our fathers brave and bold
As they fought for Ulsters cause in far off lands
Oh my father said to me "I must join the Y.C.V"
With a rifle or a pistol in my hand


From Belfast to Armagh
Carade to old Crossgar
From Ballymena to old Omagh town
With their standards flying high
As it was in days gone by
We will rally round the flag for liberty


(chorus)


Come all you Volunteers
Let us fight and never fear
Just like our fathers did so long ago
Though i'm sixteen years of age
In the Volunteers i'll engage
Like our fathers did so many years ago


(chorus)



DADDY'S UNIFORM

Oh Daddy whats that uniform in the wardrobe over there?
Has it any history or medals for to bear?
Has it seen the battlefields like bygone days of yore?
Oh Daddy is that the Uniform that you so proudly wore?



Chorus:

See it's buckles shining bright from the shoulder to the waist
I also see three letters emblazoned on it's breast
The U it stands for Ulster
The V for Volunteer
The F it stands for the Force
That fights and never fears


My memory it strays back again to nineteen forty one
When Ulsters shores were threatened
By the Jackboot of the Hun
And Ulsters people rallied round
They knew they need not fear
For the knew God was on their side
And the Ulster Volunteers


(chorus)


So son please take my Uniform and go and fight the foe
And fight just like your father did so many years ago
For Ulster it is calling and we must never fear
So take my Gun my only son and join the Volunteers


(chorus)



HANDS ACROSS THE WATER

Just across the Irish Sea
Stirs a heart of Loyalty
Raised in Honour and in dignity
Drives a will to keep us British free
Not alone are we on this journey
For in a land just across the sea
Is a hand that reaches out in friendship
And a bond thats lasted centuries



And it's hands across the water
Reaching out for you and me
For Queen, For Ulster and For Scotland
Helps to keep our Loyal people free
Let the cry be "No Surrender"
Let no-one doubt this Loyalty
Reaching out to the Brave Red Hand of Ulster
Is the hand across the sea


(repeat second verse)

(repeat first verse)



Y.C.V

Oh father why are you so sad this 1st of July morn
When Ulster men are proudly glad of the land where they were born
Oh son I see in memory of the things that used to be
When being just a lad like you, I joined the Y.C.V


From the hills and glens the call to arms was heard by one and all
And from the glens came brave young men to answer Ulsters call
T'was long ago we faced the foe, the Y.C.V and me
And by my side they fought and died, that Ulster might be free


So now my son i've told you why on July morn I sigh
For I recall my Comrades all in dark gone days gone by
I recall the men who fought in the glen with rifle and grenade
May heaven keep the men that sleep in the Y.C.V Brigade



ULSTER GIRL

An Ulster Girl in heart and soul, I love our dear old land
I honour those who in her cause lift voice or pen or hand
And may I die before I see this land we fought to save
In Rebel Hands and I at worst the mother of the slaves
Through many bloody times of old, old Ulsters heart has bled
But still she makes her enemy know her spirit has not fled
God bless the men who for her sake their love and freedom gave
God bless the mothers of these sons who nursed no cowardly slaves


Chorus:

The Ulster Girl is me, i'll tell you honestly
That i'd die to keep this land of ours still free
And if we lost our freedom, my heart would break in two
And if I couldn't stay here I don't know what i'd do


God bless the men who make their stand, we've put them to the test
I'd give to you all treasures grand, who served his country best
And if he fails i'd rather lie beside him in the grave
Than wed a meek apologist and be the mother of a slave


(chorus)

The Ulster Girl is me, i'll tell you honestly
That i'd die to keep this land of ours still free
That i'd die to keep this land of ours still free



U.D.R 4

I'm a young Ulster Soldier from north of the border
I'm one of the U.D.R 4
They charged me murder just me and no other
Now I am a lifer called Neil Latimer


They locked me away where the sweet light of day
Half reaches my Prison Cell door
But no matter how long i'll fight on and on
As one of the U.D.R 4


Chorus:
Free Free I just want to be
As free as the wind and the rain and the see
Free Free I just want to be
Out where the rivers run free


So strike up the drum let me shoulder my gun
Let the flutes play the Sash that my dear father wore
Open the gates let me rejoin my mates
As one of the U.D.R 4


Together again we'll fight as young men
As our forefathers did in the great days of yore
And the IRA scum over the border will run
In the charge of the U.D.R. 4

(chorus)

So strike up the drum let me shoulder my gun
Let the flutes play the Sash that my dear father wore
Open the gates let me rejoin my mates
As one of the U.D.R 4


Together again we'll fight as young men
As our forefathers did in the great days of yore
And the IRA scum over the border will run
In the charge of the U.D.R. 4

(chorus x2)