Marchin’ down Sackville Street starry plough and high
Here comes the Citizen Army, the fist raised to the sky
Leading them was a mighty man with a mad rage in his eye
’My name is James Connolly, I didn’t come here to die.’
Chorus
But to fight for the rights of the workin’ class, the small farmer too,
To protect the proletariat from the bosses and the )scrues
So hold on to your rifles, boys, don’t give up the dream,
A republic for the working class, economic liberty
The chant was up all citizens, this system is a curse
An English boss a bastard, an Irishman even worse
They’ll never lock us out again and here’s the reason why
’My (C)name is James Connolly, I didn’t come here to die.’
Chorus
Now over in the GPO the bullets wizzing by
With Pearse and Sean Mac Diarmada biddin’ each other good bye
Up steps our citizen leader and he rose into the sky
’My name is James Connolly, I didn’t come here to die.’
Chorus
He brought them to a stand-still and the flames lit up the sky
Til a bullet pierced our leader and we gave up the fight
They shot him in Kilmainham Jail, it will never stopp his cry
’My name is James Connolly, I didn’t come here to die.’
Chorus
This song has been recorded by the Blarney Pilgrims
Much more on and by James Connolly here.
correction
The song was composed by Larry Kirwan of the Black '47 group, as far as I am aware. It is sad that when a singer or group (such as the excellent Blarney Pilgrims) performs a song people forget the original author and composer.