'Twas the night before battle and, gathered in groups, The soldiers lay close at their quarters, A-thinking, no doubt, of their loved ones at home Of mothers, wives, sweethearts and daughters.
With a pipe in his mouth sat a handsome young blade, And a song he was singing so gaily, His name was Pat Murphy of Meagher's Brigade And he sang of the land of Shillelagh.
Well, morning soon broke and poor Paddy awoke He found rebels to give satisfaction And the drummer was beating the Devil's sad tune They were calling the troops into action.
Then the Irish Brigade into battle was seen, Their blood for the cause shedding freely With their bayonet charges they rushed on the foe With a shout for the land of shillelagh.
Other lyrics include- Then, surely, Columbia can never forget, While valor and fame hold communion, How nobly the brave Irish Volunteers fought, In defense of the flag of our Union: And, if ever Old Ireland for freedom should strike, We'll a helping hand offer quite freely: And the Stars and the Stripes shall be seen alongside, Of the Flag of the Land of Shillaly!