Slattery's Mounted Fut

Slattery's Mounted Fut - John Roche

Written by： Percy French

You've heard of Julius Ceasar 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 old Slattery's Mounted Fut

This gallant corps was organised by Slattery and his son

A noble-minded poacher with a double-breasted gun

And many a head was broken aye and many an eye was shot

When practising maneuvers in the 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 the Slattery's mounted Fut

Well first we reconnoitered 'round O'Sullivan's Shabeen

It used to be a chop 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 the song and marched along the Slattery's mounted fut

We'll cross the ditch our leader cried and take the forward 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 downed exclaimed bold Slattery here ends our grand campaign

'Tis merely throwing life away to face that raging drain

I'm not as bold as lions but I'm braver than a hen

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

And back to the mountains went 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 the Slattery's mounted Fut