From The Literary Remains of the United Irishmen by R. R. Madden.
This song was supplied by Miss McCracken. Her brother Henry Joy McCracken and another person composed it with the view of settling some differences between the United Irishmen of the Rea Fencibles and the Limerick Militia, which object it effected.
TUNE – “Charley is my Darling.”
COME all you valiant heroes, now unto me draw near,
On my Highland pipes, I’ll play a tune, will every bosom chear.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma wallagh, come listen unto me.
Highlandmen and Irishmen, how happy we will be,
When like brethren, we’re dancing, and singing Gramachree.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma wallagh, that now happy day.
Then o’er the misty mountains, and through the rushy glens,
The poor industrious labourers will find us trusty friends.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh
Shea da wea ma wallagh, all mankind should agree.
The Scotch and Irish friendly are, their wishes are the same,
The English nation envy us, and over us would reign.
But shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma wallagh, Oh! that must never be.
The auld gill stoups, we’ll gie a coup, and drink prosperity,
To the ancient clans, in Scottish lands, that fought right manfully.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma wallagh, fu’ weel I mine that day.
Our historians and our poets, they always did maintain,
That the origin of Scottishmen and Irish were the same.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma wallagh, as brothers we’ll remain.
Now to conclude and end my song, may we live long to see,
The Thistle and the Shamrock, entwine the olive tree.
Shea da wea ma wallagh, ma wallagh, ma wallagh,
Shea da wea ma walalgh, a hearty health to thee.