Gallant Orange Soldier Boy of 98 (V)

I am a humble Orangeman, my father he was one,
The mantle that the sire once wore has fallen to the son,
He ranks with those who quelled their foes, the foes of church & state,
The gallant Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.
The gallant Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.

The light which led their spirits on o’er battlefield did shine,
Each breast was freedoms temple pure, each heart was freedoms shrine,
As sinks the day in glorious ray, some song unbrights their fate,
The gallant Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.
The gallant Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.

To guard the faith which Luther preached, the right which William won,
The Orangeman relies upon his Bible and his gun,
He prays for peace yet war will face, when rebels congregate
Just like the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.
Just like the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.

“Who Fears To Speak of ‘98”, this was the silly note
Of one who was afraid to put his name to what he wrote,
He was afraid, they’re all afraid, they know to guard their prate,
As did the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.
As did the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.

In peace like watchful silent stars do Orangemen remain,
In war their energies are like the surges of the main
And each true hearted Orangeman would smile tho’ death awaits,
As did the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.
As did the Orange soldier boy, who fought in ’98.

 Orange Soldier Boy was written in response to a nationalist political ballad, Who fears to speak of ’98? Originally written as a poem by John Kells Ingram (1824-1907) who was born in Ulster at Templecarne near Pettigo in County Donegal