Nineteen Men Irish Song Lyrics And Chords
Written by Dermot Hegarty
This song has the same melody as ''The Rising Of The Moon Song'' and is all about the escape from Portlaoise prison by members of the Provisional I.R.A. The song was recorded by The Dublin City Ramblers.
This song has the same melody as ''The Rising Of The Moon Song'' and is all about the escape from Portlaoise prison by members of the Provisional I.R.A. The song was recorded by The Dublin City Ramblers.
Tin whistle notes to Nineteen Men are in the Irish Rebel Songs For Tin Whistle
[Chorus]
There's[C] nineteen men are missing,and they[G] didn't use the door,
Just[F] blew a little[C] hole where there[G] wasn't one be[C]fore,
Now[C] the army and the gardai are[G] searching high and low,
For the[F] men from[C] Portlaoise town who[G] vanished like the[C] snow
[1]
On the eighteenth day of august in the good year '74
A blast occurred in Portlaoise town that was heard through every door,
And when the smoke and dust had cleared,there rose a mighty cheer,
For those within who helped to plan the jailbreak of the year.
[2]
The word to Dublin quickly spread,and on the news was said,
That special branch detectives,would soon capture those who fled,
And then appeared upon this land,checkpoints with soldiers armed,
Who vowed to capture those who caused the minister such alarm.
[3]
To Ireland's rebel country these brave men made quick escape,
To a quiet town called Gorey,the boys sat down and dined in state,
And now I hear there's plans afoot,with morter brick and stone,
To build a brand new prison,and to call it Provo. home
There's[C] nineteen men are missing,and they[G] didn't use the door,
Just[F] blew a little[C] hole where there[G] wasn't one be[C]fore,
Now[C] the army and the gardai are[G] searching high and low,
For the[F] men from[C] Portlaoise town who[G] vanished like the[C] snow
[1]
On the eighteenth day of august in the good year '74
A blast occurred in Portlaoise town that was heard through every door,
And when the smoke and dust had cleared,there rose a mighty cheer,
For those within who helped to plan the jailbreak of the year.
[2]
The word to Dublin quickly spread,and on the news was said,
That special branch detectives,would soon capture those who fled,
And then appeared upon this land,checkpoints with soldiers armed,
Who vowed to capture those who caused the minister such alarm.
[3]
To Ireland's rebel country these brave men made quick escape,
To a quiet town called Gorey,the boys sat down and dined in state,
And now I hear there's plans afoot,with morter brick and stone,
To build a brand new prison,and to call it Provo. home
Nineteen Men Chords In G Major
There's[G] nineteen men are missing,and they[D] didn't use the door,
Just[C] blew a little[G] hole where there[D] wasn't one be[G]fore,
Now[G] the army and the gardai are[D] searching high and low,
For the[C] men from[G] Portlaoise town who[D] vanished like the[G] snow
Just[C] blew a little[G] hole where there[D] wasn't one be[G]fore,
Now[G] the army and the gardai are[D] searching high and low,
For the[C] men from[G] Portlaoise town who[D] vanished like the[G] snow
he Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) has a long and tumultuous history, marked by violence, conflict, and political unrest. One of the most infamous events in the IRA's history is the Portlaoise prison escape, which occurred in September 1974. This daring escape, which saw 19 IRA prisoners break out of the maximum-security Portlaoise prison in Ireland, not only captured the attention of the world but also had significant implications for the political landscape of Ireland.
The Provisional IRA, also known as the 'Provos,' was a paramilitary organization that emerged in the late 1960s in response to the ongoing conflict between the nationalist Catholic community and the unionist Protestant community in Northern Ireland. The IRA's main goal was to achieve a united and independent Ireland, free from British rule. The organization engaged in a campaign of violence and terror, targeting British soldiers, government officials, and civilians, in an effort to destabilize the British presence in Northern Ireland.
In the early 1970s, the IRA intensified its campaign and began targeting British prisons, as they saw them as symbols of British oppression and control. The Portlaoise prison, located in County Laois in the Republic of Ireland, was one of the most high-security prisons in the country, housing some of the most dangerous and high-profile IRA prisoners. The prison had a reputation for being escape-proof, with its thick walls, barbed wire fences, and constant surveillance.
However, on September 18, 1974, the IRA proved that no prison was escape-proof when 19 of its members managed to break out of Portlaoise prison in what would become one of the most audacious prison escapes in Irish history. The escape was meticulously planned and executed, highlighting the IRA's organizational skills and determination.
The escape began when a group of IRA prisoners seized control of the prison's kitchen, overpowering the guards and taking them hostage. The prisoners then used smuggled explosives to blow a hole in the prison's perimeter wall, creating a diversion while the other prisoners made their escape. The prisoners then made their way to a nearby farmhouse, where they were met by a waiting van and driven to safety.
The Portlaoise prison escape was a significant blow to the Irish government, as it exposed the weaknesses in the country's prison system and highlighted the IRA's ability to strike at the heart of the state. The escape also caused widespread panic and outrage, with fears that the escaped prisoners would carry out further attacks and engage in a renewed campaign of violence.
In the aftermath of the escape, the Irish government launched a massive manhunt to recapture the escaped prisoners, while also implementing stricter security measures in prisons across the country. The escape also had significant political implications, as it was seen as a significant victory for the IRA and a blow to the government's efforts to maintain law and order.
Furthermore, the Portlaoise prison escape had a lasting impact on the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The escape strained the already tense relationship between the two countries, with the British government accusing the Irish government of not doing enough to prevent the escape and harboring terrorists. This strained relationship would continue for years to come and have a significant impact on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
In conclusion, the Portlaoise prison escape was a defining moment in the IRA's history and had significant implications for the political landscape of Ireland. The escape not only exposed weaknesses in the prison system and caused widespread panic but also strained the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Nearly five decades later, the Portlaoise prison escape remains a significant event in Irish history and serves as a reminder of the IRA's determination and resilience in their fight for a united Ireland.
The Provisional IRA, also known as the 'Provos,' was a paramilitary organization that emerged in the late 1960s in response to the ongoing conflict between the nationalist Catholic community and the unionist Protestant community in Northern Ireland. The IRA's main goal was to achieve a united and independent Ireland, free from British rule. The organization engaged in a campaign of violence and terror, targeting British soldiers, government officials, and civilians, in an effort to destabilize the British presence in Northern Ireland.
In the early 1970s, the IRA intensified its campaign and began targeting British prisons, as they saw them as symbols of British oppression and control. The Portlaoise prison, located in County Laois in the Republic of Ireland, was one of the most high-security prisons in the country, housing some of the most dangerous and high-profile IRA prisoners. The prison had a reputation for being escape-proof, with its thick walls, barbed wire fences, and constant surveillance.
However, on September 18, 1974, the IRA proved that no prison was escape-proof when 19 of its members managed to break out of Portlaoise prison in what would become one of the most audacious prison escapes in Irish history. The escape was meticulously planned and executed, highlighting the IRA's organizational skills and determination.
The escape began when a group of IRA prisoners seized control of the prison's kitchen, overpowering the guards and taking them hostage. The prisoners then used smuggled explosives to blow a hole in the prison's perimeter wall, creating a diversion while the other prisoners made their escape. The prisoners then made their way to a nearby farmhouse, where they were met by a waiting van and driven to safety.
The Portlaoise prison escape was a significant blow to the Irish government, as it exposed the weaknesses in the country's prison system and highlighted the IRA's ability to strike at the heart of the state. The escape also caused widespread panic and outrage, with fears that the escaped prisoners would carry out further attacks and engage in a renewed campaign of violence.
In the aftermath of the escape, the Irish government launched a massive manhunt to recapture the escaped prisoners, while also implementing stricter security measures in prisons across the country. The escape also had significant political implications, as it was seen as a significant victory for the IRA and a blow to the government's efforts to maintain law and order.
Furthermore, the Portlaoise prison escape had a lasting impact on the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The escape strained the already tense relationship between the two countries, with the British government accusing the Irish government of not doing enough to prevent the escape and harboring terrorists. This strained relationship would continue for years to come and have a significant impact on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
In conclusion, the Portlaoise prison escape was a defining moment in the IRA's history and had significant implications for the political landscape of Ireland. The escape not only exposed weaknesses in the prison system and caused widespread panic but also strained the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Nearly five decades later, the Portlaoise prison escape remains a significant event in Irish history and serves as a reminder of the IRA's determination and resilience in their fight for a united Ireland.