Lines on the Irish National Foresters Demonstration
Which took place in Blantyre on September 1 1888.
Irishmen now one and all, attention to me pay
Excuse me for my simple rhyme it will us of the day
When the Irish National Foresters, they made their walk complete.
On the first day of September in Eighteen eighty eight
The procession it was headed by two men on [noble steeal]
They wore the dress of that bright gem who for his country [bleed]
With their brilliant coats of Irish green they rode manfully down town
Three cheers for Patrick [Masterson] and also [ur] Brown.
Chorus
I watched the grand procession as they marched along the street
With flute and instrumental bands the [airs] were pure and sweet
With flags and banners waiving high no doubt they [did] look grand.
As they marched and played St. Patricks Day and God save Ireland.
The Blantyre members then fell in
The Harp of Erin Branch
Like Erins sons at [Fontenay]
Those heroes did advance
On their sashes were the emblems
Of men I hope at rest
[Others] wore the green rosette
Affixed upon their breast
The Glasgow members next appeared
As manfully I’am sure
On their flag encircled in golden words
The branch of Thomas Moore
[McCrackens] branch from Kinning Park
Sunburst of Erin too.
And the shamrock branch
the showed that day
What Irishmen could do
The star of Erin from [govan]
They were an honor to the walk
Also [C. J. Kickhams] branch
They were the whole towns talk
John of [Tiram] branch from [Carfin]
There was nothing could [eniell]
Thomas [Francis Meehor] branch
From the town of Motherwell
The branch of A [U Sullivan]
That Irish gem so true
John Dillons branch from [Kilsyth]
Was splendid to the view
As they marched beneath their brilliant [Feay]
Each on some emblem wore
To remind us of brave [Emmits] cause
[Or] the happy days of York. Chorus
There is one remark I wish to make
And also sing in praise
From the window of an Irishman
A green flag there did wave
Its emblems were magnigicent
The people did admire
The Wolf Dog and St Patrick
they were an honour to Blantyre
The branch of Michael Davitt
From Coatbridge next appeared
With their banner waving high
Their hearts were ner afraid
I’ll finish up my simple words
And ask your kind applause
Three cheers for Irish National Forresters
And brave McCarthys cause.
