[Lyric] Clear The Way (John Doyle (Irish guitarist))

In the cold grey light of morning
After the deal had gone down
I awoke and shook all over
Hoping a dram would bring me 'round

Well I stared at the sight all around me
Dusted blue and faded grey
Men in heaps were scattered
Men who fought and died the other day

I lived my youth in Connemara
Roving from town to town
I shipped on board of the Amelia
To New York City I was bound

Not for honor, nor for country
We killed for three square meals a day
Off the boat, and pack on shoulders
Gun in hand, we're here to stay

(Chorus)
In Fredericksburg, we rose to meet them
Though we knew the price we'd pay
But the Irish brigade will not surrender
Faugh a ballagh, clear the way!
General Meagher, he gave the orders
Up we rise boys, charge away!
The hills were rife with blood and murder
As we gouged and tore our way

McMillan's rebels, they fired upon us
Shot and shell, buck and ball
Their green flag rose high above them
As ours fell on the battle wall

(Chorus)

Well hand to hand, and face to face there
A young rebel, he charged me in the fray
I turned around and my blade went through him
I did the devil's work that day

For I saw my face there before me
In the boy that I mew down
He could've been a friend or brother
Or another exile from my town

Three thousand strong rose to fight them
In Antietam's ripening corn
But Fredericksburg was our undoing
Three hundred left to weep and mourn
(Chorus)