On the 28th Day of November

[Vern Humphrey]

On the 28th day of November
The Tans left the town of Macroom
They were riding in big Crosley Tenders
That led them right into their doom

They were on the road to Kilmichael
And never expected to stall
But they there met the boys of the Column
Who made a clean sweep of them all.

The ambush at Kilmichael on November 28th, 1920, was instrumental to bringing the British to the negotiating table, with the subsequent creation of the Irish Free State.

[JB White]

Don't say it. SING IT!


1911 issued Royal Irish Constabulary carbine from my collection. Shown with its Pattern 1888 bayonet.

[Vern Humphrey]

A fair number of those fell into the hands of the Volunteers, who put them to good use.

The sun in the west it was sinking
It was the eve of a cold harvest day
When the Tans we wearily waited
Rolled into the spot where we lay

And over the hills went the echo
The peal of the rifle and gun
And the smoke from the burning lorries
Gave tidings the Column had won

So we gathered their rifles and bayonets
And soon left the glen so obscure
And never drew breath 'til we halted
In the far away camp at Knockanure.