The Gates of Derry

When the struggle for freedom took place in our nation,
Which long had been trampled by bigoted sway;
The brave men of Derry for self-preservation,
Made strong their gates on this threatening day.

Though cowards might tremble, and traitors dissemble,
Those heroes stood forward all gallant and true;
Foul thraldom for ever from Erin to sever,
And up went their standard of Orange and Blue

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O fair Londonderry, it makes my heart merry,
To look at your walls rising over the Foyle;
May no Whig or Tory, despising your glory,
Your sons or your daughters of honour despoil.

Then loudly their war-cry o'er Ulster resounded,
And called forth the Protestant chiefs of the land;
Who with zeal patriotic and courage unbounded,
On the Foyle for their freedom determined to stand.

Then Mount Alexander, that noble commander,
With Skeffington, Rawdon, and Blaney so brave,
Despising alarms, came down here in arms,
Our liberty, laws, and religion to save.

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George Walker and Murray, rode here in a hurry,
With Saunderson, Cairns and Noble renowned;
Stout Canning and Rawson, Downing and Dawson,
Unmoved in their post here in Derry were found.

With Knoxes and Rosses, Hills, Grahams and Crosses,
And Beresford brave from the town of Coleraine;
Dunbars, Halls and Rices, with Blairs, Brookes and Bryces,
All faced the proud foe with a noble disdain.

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Bold Mitchelbum, Baker and Mackey unbending,
Held out through all danger our rights to maintain;
Resolving to die for their freedom contending,
Before the vile tyrant should over them reign.

To gain us our charters they bled like true martyrs,
Regardless of fear though by numbers assailed;
Because they confided to Him that divided
The waters which over proud Pharaoh prevailed.

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From ancient Dungannon, with horsemen and cannon,
Came Chichester brave as Sir Arthur of old;
The Moores from old Augher, the Merryns from Clogher;
To Derry flocked in with their soldiers and gold.
From rich Lirnavady to puzzle poor Paddy,
Came Phillips who fought in the year forty-one;
Through fair and foul weather they all stood together
Till James was knocked up and their foemen were gone.

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Thus Heaven protected these heroes undaunted,
Who fought and who bled in religion's bright cause;
And gained for the nation what long had been wanted ­
A free constitution and Protestant laws.
From bondage for ever our Isle they did sever,
Oh! may we like them be decided and true;
May liberty flourish and loyalty nourish,
The principles sound of an honest True Blue.

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