Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
Chorus:
I will go, I will go, when the fighting is over
To the land o’ McLeod that I left to be a soldier,
I will go, I will go.
When the King’s son came along, he called us a’ together,
Saying, “Brave Highland men, will ye fight for my father?”
I will go, I will go
I’ve a buckle on my belt, a sword in my scabbard,
A red coat on my back and a shilling in my pocket,
I will go, I will go.
When they put us all on board the lasses were singing
But the tears came to their eyes when the bells started ringing
I will go, I will go.
We sailed across the sea we spied the foreign heather,
We knew some would return and some of us would never,
I will go, I will go.
We stayed for seven years to our land we were returning
In the distance we could see the glens were all a burning
I will go, I will go
When we came back to our land, the winter was turning,
Our goods lay in the snow and our houses were burning.
I will go, I will go.
When we saw the redcoat soldiers raping and a killing
Ah there wasn’t one of us who could feel like forgiving
I will go, I will go