BACK HOME IN DERRY

by KING KELTIC

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A KING KELTIC version of an old favorite.

Bobby Sands wrote the lyrics of Back Home in Derry, which were later recorded by Christy Moore. The melody of Back Home in Derry was borrowed from Gordon Lightfoot's famous 1976 song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The song itself is about the penal transportation of Irish republicans to Van Diemen's Land in the 19th century (modern day Tasmania, Australia).

lyrics

In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our fetters we carried.

In the rusty iron chains we sighed for our wains
As our good wives we left in sorrow.
As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled
On the English and thoughts of tomorrow.

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.

I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell.
Our ship danced like moths in the firelight.
White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight.

Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
Our comrades we buried each morning.
In our own slime we were lost in a time.
Endless night without dawning.

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.

Now Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
To live out his life in slavery.
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law.
Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery.

Twenty years have gone by, I've ended me bond
Me comrades' ghosts are behind me.
A rebel I came and I'll die the same.
On the cold winds of night you'll find me

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.

credits

released March 17, 2016
KING KELTIC, Bobby Sands

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KING KELTIC New York, New York

"Ancient king on carven throne
Bardic ruler on singing stone
Keltic minstrel, monarch strong,
with sword of spirit and prophetic song." - The Idylls of King Keltic


John Bard - Lead Vox & Bass
Robbie King - Electric Guitar
Danny Mclaughlin - Uillean Pipes Adam McGuinness- Keyboards
Sloan - Drums ... more

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