"Derry's Walls" is a historical song sung in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. It commemorates the Siege of Derry

Siege of Derry

The Siege of Derry took place in Ireland from 18 April to 28 July 1689, during the Williamite War in Ireland. The city, a Williamite stronghold, was besieged by a Jacobite army until it was relieved by Royal Navy ships...

 in 1689.

The author of the words is unknown, and it is sung to the tune of "God Bless the Prince of Wales

God Bless the Prince of Wales

"God Bless the Prince of Wales" is a patriotic song written to mark the occasion of the marriage of the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom to Alexandra of Denmark.The song was first proposed at the Caernarfon Eisteddfod of 1862...

".

Lyrics

Verse 1

The time has scarce gone round boys

Three hundred years ago

When Rebels on old Derry

Derry

Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...

's Walls

Their faces dare not show

When James and all his rebel band

Came up to Bishops Gate

With heart and hand and sword and shield

We forced them to retreat.

Chorus.

We'll fight and don't surrender

But come when duty calls,

With heart and hand and sword and shield

We'll guard old Derry's Walls.

Verse 2

When blood it 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 for to fight,

To fight and gain the victory

And raise the Crimson high;

Chorus.

They'll fight and don't surrender

But come when duty calls,

With heart and 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.

They'll fight and don't surrender

But come when duty calls,

With heart and hand and sword and shield

We'll guard old Derry's Walls.