Slattery's Mounted Foot

Slattery's Mounted Foot - O'Farrell Family Band

You've heard of Julius Caesar and the great Napoleon too

And how the Cork Militia beat the Turks at Waterloo

But there's a page of glory that as yet remains uncut

And that's the warlike story of bold Slattery's Mounted Fut

This gallant corps was organised by Slattery's eldest son

A noble-minded poacher with a double-breasted gun

And many a head was broken

Aye and many an eye was shut

When learning to maneuvers in bold Slattery's Mounted Fut

And down from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang this song and marched along with Slattery's Mounted Fut

Well first we reconnoitred 'round O'Sullivan's Shebeen

It used to be the shop house

But we called it the canteen

And there we saw a notice which the bravest heart unnerved

All liquor must be settled for before the drink is served

So on we marched but soon again each warrior's heart grew pale

For rising high in front of us we saw the County jail

And when the army faced about 'twas just in time to find

A couple of stout policemen had surrounded us behind

And down from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang this song and marched along with Slattery's mounted fut

We'll 'cross the ditch

Our leader cried and take the foe in flank

But yells of consternation here arose from every rank

For posted high upon a tree we very plainly saw

Trespassers prosecuted in accordance with the law

We're foiled explained bulled Slattery

Here ends my grand campaign

'Tis merely throwing life away to face that favourite drain

I'm not as bold as lions but I'm braver nor the hen

And he that fights and runs away will live to fight again

And down from the mountains came this squadrons and platoons

Four-and-twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang this song and marched along with Slattery's mounted Fut

We reached the mountains safely though all stiff and sore with cramp

Each took a whet of whiskey nate to dissipate the damp

And when they loaded all their pipes bold Slattery ups and said

Today's immortal fight will be remembered by the dead

I never shall forget says he while this brave heart shall beat

The eager way you followed when I headed the retreat

Ye preferred the soldier's maxim when desisting from the strife

Best be a coward for five minutes

Than a dead man all your life

And back to the mountains came the squadrons and platoons

Four and twenty fighting men and a couple of stout gossoons

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang this song and marched along with Slattery's Mounted Fut

When going into action held each musket by the butt

We sang this song and marched along with Slattery's Mounted Fut