This Poem was Submitted By: Gene Dixon On Date: 2003-06-21 11:09:21 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Six Long Rifles and a Broom

A Drinking Song - to the tune of "Sweet Betsy From Pike" T'was early one morning in fair Dublin town I spied seven Black and Tans skulkin' around. They were armed to the teeth like some prophets of doom, Six with long rifles and one with a broom. Their mission, they said, was to rid this fine state of all bloody rebels, the small and the great. "We'll fire our muskets and fill up the tombs!" But they never explained why one lad brought a broom. Now wouldn't you think, from what you've been told that these seven troopers were brave and were bold? But as their boots stomped through this cobblestoned town, you'd notice their eyes were always cast down. You see these fine soldiers, while outwardly bold, inside were a'trembling, if God's truth be told. Without an opponent, they stood stiff and straight. At the sight of a rebel, they'd evacuate. And I don't mean to say that they'd run from the scene (There's always an ache when one leaves Ireland's green) What I meant was six bowels, in fright, went ka-boom. (The seventh one then made good use of the broom) It didn't take long for these boy-o's to learn that its better to sing than to watch bridges burn. So we all raised a pint in the pub's sitting room and before they departed, they burned the damned broom!  

Copyright © June 2003 Gene Dixon

Additional Notes:
Just a bit of fun...my apologies to any Englishmen/women or others who lean that way. "Black and Tans" - The British Auxiliary Force (used in Ireland against the IRA)


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