The Colonel's Retreat
By Francis Boyle
It was on Pike Sunday, near to Moneyrea,
The Colonel did first his green colours display;
He muster'd his men and away he did go,
To fight for the Union with General Munro.
The Colonel well mounted upon his grey mare,
Assumed the command of what forces were there;
To guard the cross-roads that lie near Ballygow'n,
He rode like a hero of fame and renown.
He drew his old rapier, his mare he did wheel,
Said, "go to James Haslett's as fast as the De'il -
Of hard fighting lads, haste, muster a score -
And they shall not want when their duty is o'er.
Fly you to the camp and tell General Munro,
We hold the outpost, as to Comber you go;
With three hundred brave Croppies, both valiant and stout,
If a foe does approach us the pass we'll dispute."
Upon Monday morning the Ardsmen appear,
The Colonel salutes them and gives them a cheer -
"Brave boys be courageous and front every foe,
Upon Edinavady with General Munro.
The pass-word he gave them was "Conquer or die,
It will tarnish our fame if a Croppie should fly;
Stand fast by your colours till victory's won,
Fight hard for your country as Antrim has done."
Unto the young Females he said, "My fair band,
For Hibernia's freedom here armed we stand;
Our pikes, and your laurels, will make a shew,
Upon Edinavady with General Munro."
Upon Tuesday evening the great guns did roar,
The Colonel rode off and commanded no more,
He hid his old rapier, and home he did go,
Deserted his colours and General Munro.
Upon Wednesday morning the croppies were beat;
They could stand no longer - were forced to retreat;
They were forced to retreat with their hearts full of woe,
Which brought on the sad fate of General Munro.
He fled to a house where a Judas did dwell,
Good people detest him - his name I'll not tell,
He gave him his watch and his money also,
But he proved a traitor to General Munro.
For under his roof he would not let him lie,
But straight he conducted him to a hog-stye,
While covered with straw, on the ground he lay low,
He went and informed on poor General Munro.
A strong guard was sent out, and bore him away,
From the house of that Judas that did him betray,
Even the court that condemned him, sorrow did shew,
And pitied the wretch that sold General Munro.
My friends, be admonished no more to rebel,
Its dreadful effects there's no Poet can tell,
It desolates countries, proves nations' o'erthrow,
Brings men to the scaffold like General Munro.
