General Munro

Kenneth Peacock collected this from Freeman Bennett, 
of St. Pauls, Newfoundland, and put it in his book 
of Songs of the Newfoundland Outports

My name is John Slaney, my age is eighteen.
Many's a hard skirmish and battles been in,
But this is the hardest I have to undergo,
Commanded by that hero called General Munro.

Oh Ross took the mountains, Munro took the field, 
Munro being valiant, to him would not yield.
"The rattlings of those small arms shan't never daunt me so.
Fight on my brave heroes." called General Munro.

Munro being drowsy for the want of some sleep, 
He gave five-ten guineas his secrets to keep,
But when they got the money they serv-ed him so,
They sent for the cavalry to take in Munro.

The cavalry came there and surrounded the field,
Munro being valiant to him forced to yield.
They took them a prisoner without more delay,
Clapped his head on a spear that very same day.

Here's adieu to my wife and children all three,
My land and my living I will give unto thee,
My land and my living I will give unto you,
And the sweet county of Wexford I'll now been adieu.

His sister came there, she was clothed all in green.
With a large glittering sword so sharpen and so keen.
She slayed five of those tyrants before she did go,
Saying, "Fetch me my brother called General Munro."

Oh now to conclude and to finish my song,
Oh something might happen before it is long.
May the union of liberty to the kingdom now go,
And the tyrants lay bleeding that beheaded Munro.