Long Kesh
Resilience of 1916: Long Kesh and Irish Rebel Spirit
Lyrics
There's a place just outside Lisburn
Referring to a location outside Lisburn.
It's a place that's known to few
Describes the place as relatively unknown.
Where a group of Irish rebels
Indicates the presence of Irish rebels in the location.
Are held by Faulkner's crew
Suggests these rebels are held by Faulkner's crew.
They are forced to live in cages
Describes the rebels being confined in cages.
Like the inmates of Bellevue
Compares their living conditions to inmates of Bellevue.
But the spirit of 1916
Asserts that the spirit of the 1916 Easter Rising will endure.
Will always see them through
Expresses confidence in the rebels' resilience.
The men in this vile place
Refers to the men imprisoned in this place.
They come from far and near
Highlights the diverse origins of the imprisoned men.
Some from the Derry Bogside
Specifically mentions men from the Derry Bogside.
And Omagh town so near
References men from Omagh town.
And some of them from Belfast
Notes the presence of men from Belfast.
From the market and the Bone
Lists areas in Belfast, including the market and the Bone.
From the narrow streets of Ardoyne
Mentions the narrow streets of Ardoyne.
And all around Tyrone
Indicates a broad representation from all around Tyrone.
On that black day in August
Refers to a significant event in August, likely related to internment.
When Faulkner showed his hand
Attributes actions to Faulkner and internment.
He thought that by internment
Suggests Faulkner's intent to weaken the rebel group through internment.
He could break our gallant band
Highlights the resistance and courage of the boys from Ballymurphy.
But the boys from Ballymurphy
Specifically praises the defiance of the boys from Ballymurphy.
How they showed the way that night
Emphasizes their leadership on a crucial night.
And they taught those English soldiers
Notes the rebels' ability to teach English soldiers about Irish fighting spirit.
How Irish men could fight
Commends the bravery of Irish men in combat.
Long Kesh has shown to everyone
Declares that Long Kesh (the location) has exposed flaws in the system.
The system must be broke
Expresses a belief that the system needs reform.
Ardoyne, the New Lodge and the Falls
Names specific areas that will resist the system.
Will see the system choke
Predicts a reaction in Ardoyne, the New Lodge, and the Falls.
No more Special Powers Act
Rejects the Special Powers Act as a means of control.
Those means will invoke
Condemns the oppressive measures that the system might employ.
And Long Kesh will be the U-Stone
Suggests Long Kesh as a symbolic breaking point for the system.
On which the system's broke
Asserts that Long Kesh will be the point at which the system fails.
A word now, Irish people
Addresses the Irish people with a call for remembrance.
No matter where you are
Urges the Irish people to remember the rebels in Long Kesh.
Remember our brave rebels
Specifically refers to the rebels as brave.
In Long Kesh this year
Links the call for remembrance to the current year in Long Kesh.
And by civil disobedience or any other way
Encourages a stance, possibly through civil disobedience, until the rebels are free.
Let's make a stand until the day
Reiterates the call to take a stand for the rebels' freedom.
Each one of them are free
Concludes with the ultimate goal of the rebels being free.
Comment