The lyrics recount the killing of 13 people by British soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) protest against internment without trial.

The song says "They only asked for justice / Which was their human right.

To end their shame and torture, To rid them of their plight;" and concludes by saying, "They died with this desire./ That we Irish understand / For peace between the people / And the love of Ireland.

It was considered a rebel song and thus not played by the Republic of Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ.

[2] Despite this, it reached number one in the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 1972.