RALLY 'ROUND THE FLAG
Lyrics: Rich Lipski, Brendan Power Music: Rich Lipski
Brendan Power- Vocals; Bill Brown- Bagpipes; Erich Arndt- Guitar; Gary Eurice- Fiddle; Jon Heller- Bagpipes; Rich Lipski- Bass; Tommy Leanza- Drums
Well they don’t like our kind here
They said we don’t belong here
When the rebel army marches yeah how quick they change their mind
They send us to the front lines
Through bayonets and landmines
We will earn our way in Ameri-kay with the blood we leave behind
(Chorus)
So rally ‘round the flag boys
We’re fighting for this land boys
Cause the enemy is coming but he won’t get through our lines
So don’t give up the fight boys
Victory’s in our sight boys
They will sing songs of our bravery, we’re the Fighting 69
They sent us to the big war
To remind us what we’re fighting for
In the wood the call the Rogue Bouquet our blood it stained the ground
The screams of death were all around
Souls were lost and never found
Entombed in peace for eternity within the trench they held their ground
(Repeat Chorus)
Faugh a ballagh, clear the way
Faugh a ballagh, clear the way
There lie many fighting men
Never to return again
Cut down in their youthful prime, never taste the Summertime
(Repeat Chorus x2)
They will sing songs of our bravery, we’re the Fighting 69
Rich had been working on a song focused on the fighting 69th regiment. I loved the reference to their bravery during the Civil War, and loved the use of their battle cry. I wanted to add more to their story. The 69th has been a part of almost every conflict since the Civil War. I referenced a poem called the Rogue Bouquet by Joyce Kilmer. Sadly he was killed during the battle of Rogue Bouquet Wood during WWI. His Poem was read during the funeral of the fallen soldiers in France. -Brendan
I was exploring Gettysburg with my family and came across the Irish Brigade Monument. I'd heard about the "Fighting 69th" but did some more reading. I was able to knock out the first verse and chorus pretty quickly, and turned to Brendan to flesh out the rest. -Rich
Irish Brigade Monument- Gettysburg, PA