George and Pop Lyrics And Chords
"George and Pop" is an Irish republican ballad that commemorates the lives of two Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers, George McBrearty and Charles "Pop" Maguire, who were killed during a confrontation with the British Special Air Service (SAS) in Derry, Northern Ireland. The song, written by Patrick McGlinchey from Derry, reflects on their dedication to the cause of Irish freedom and the impact of their deaths on the local community.
Themes and Meaning:
"George and Pop" has been performed by various artists, including Jerry McCusker and Charlie and the Bhoys, becoming a significant piece in the repertoire of Irish rebel music. Its poignant lyrics and melody serve as a tribute to those who have fought and died for Irish republican ideals, ensuring that their stories continue to resonate within the community.
Themes and Meaning:
- Sacrifice for Homeland:
- The lyrics honor McBrearty and Maguire's commitment to fighting for their native Derry and Ireland as a whole.
- Lines such as "They died fighting for Derry, their own native home" emphasize their ultimate sacrifice.
- Resilience and Defiance:
- The song conveys a message of continued resistance against oppression, inspired by the bravery of "George and Pop."
- The chorus reflects this sentiment: "They couldn't stop poor George and Pop and they'll not stop me and you."
Community Mourning and Memory:
- The lyrics capture the collective grief of the community following the loss of the two volunteers.
- Phrases like "For the place it went silent when the shooting died down" depict the somber aftermath of their deaths.
"George and Pop" has been performed by various artists, including Jerry McCusker and Charlie and the Bhoys, becoming a significant piece in the repertoire of Irish rebel music. Its poignant lyrics and melody serve as a tribute to those who have fought and died for Irish republican ideals, ensuring that their stories continue to resonate within the community.
The first set of chords match the youtube video, they seem a bit difficult for most ballad singers so I transposed the chords to a handy version in G. The song's being covered by several ballad groups including Erin Go Bragh and Charlie And The Bhoys from Scotland.
[F#]On the [B]slopes of the [D#m]Creggan[E] one morning in[D#m] May[E],
Four lads [B]left their base with hearts young and [D#m]gay[F#],
Their [B]cause was for [D#m]freedom[E] a cause unde[D#m]nied[E],
And that foreign op[B]pressor they went to de[D#m]fy[F#].
While pa[B]troling [D#m]our stree[E]ts they met with the [D#m]foe[E],
And with guns at the [B]ready our lads had a [F#]go.
So we`ll [B]raise up our [D#m]hands and we`ll [G#m]curse that British[E] hand,
Who tore [B]out the very [D#m]hearts of men who [G#m]dared to cross their [F#]path,
But my [B]heart is broke in [D#m]two, won`t you [G#m]tell me what to [E]do,
They couldn`t [B]stop poor George and [G#m]Pop and they`ll [E]not stop[F#] me and [B]you.
For the place it went silent when the shooting died down,
Two young lads they lay dead on the streets of our town,
Another two lives lost for the ongoing fight,
And in Derry were mourned on that fateful night.
So we`ll raise up our hands and we`ll curse that British hand,
Who tore out the very hearts of men who dared to cross their path,
But my heart is broke in two, won`t you tell me what to do,
They couldn`t stop poor George and Pop and they`ll not stop me and you.
Now Georgie and Pop they lie cold as stone,
They died fighting for Derry, their own native home,
So always remember and don`t ever forget,
They died fighting for Ireland and we owe them debt.
So we`ll raise up our hands and we`ll curse that British hand,
Who tore out the very hearts of men who dared to cross their path,
But my heart is broke in two, won`t you tell me what to do,
They couldn`t stop poor George and Pop and they`ll NEVER stop me and you.
Alternative chords in the key of G
[D]On the [G]slopes of the [Bm]Creggan[C] one morning in[Bm] May[C],
Four lads [G]left their base with hearts young and [Bm]gay[D],
Their [G]cause was for [Bm]freedom[C] a cause unde[Bm]nied[C],
And that foreign op[G]pressor they went to de[Bm]fy[D].
While pa[G]troling [Bm]our stree[C]ts they met with the [Bm]foe[C],
And with guns at the [G]ready our lads had a [D]go.
So we`ll [G]raise up our [Bm]hands and we`ll [Em]curse that British[C] hand,
Who tore [G]out the very [Bm]hearts of men who [Em]dared to cross their [D]path,
But my [G]heart is broke in [Bm]two, won`t you [Em]tell me what to [C]do,
They couldn`t [G]stop poor George and [Em]Pop and they`ll [C]not stop[D] me and [G]you.
Four lads [B]left their base with hearts young and [D#m]gay[F#],
Their [B]cause was for [D#m]freedom[E] a cause unde[D#m]nied[E],
And that foreign op[B]pressor they went to de[D#m]fy[F#].
While pa[B]troling [D#m]our stree[E]ts they met with the [D#m]foe[E],
And with guns at the [B]ready our lads had a [F#]go.
So we`ll [B]raise up our [D#m]hands and we`ll [G#m]curse that British[E] hand,
Who tore [B]out the very [D#m]hearts of men who [G#m]dared to cross their [F#]path,
But my [B]heart is broke in [D#m]two, won`t you [G#m]tell me what to [E]do,
They couldn`t [B]stop poor George and [G#m]Pop and they`ll [E]not stop[F#] me and [B]you.
For the place it went silent when the shooting died down,
Two young lads they lay dead on the streets of our town,
Another two lives lost for the ongoing fight,
And in Derry were mourned on that fateful night.
So we`ll raise up our hands and we`ll curse that British hand,
Who tore out the very hearts of men who dared to cross their path,
But my heart is broke in two, won`t you tell me what to do,
They couldn`t stop poor George and Pop and they`ll not stop me and you.
Now Georgie and Pop they lie cold as stone,
They died fighting for Derry, their own native home,
So always remember and don`t ever forget,
They died fighting for Ireland and we owe them debt.
So we`ll raise up our hands and we`ll curse that British hand,
Who tore out the very hearts of men who dared to cross their path,
But my heart is broke in two, won`t you tell me what to do,
They couldn`t stop poor George and Pop and they`ll NEVER stop me and you.
Alternative chords in the key of G
[D]On the [G]slopes of the [Bm]Creggan[C] one morning in[Bm] May[C],
Four lads [G]left their base with hearts young and [Bm]gay[D],
Their [G]cause was for [Bm]freedom[C] a cause unde[Bm]nied[C],
And that foreign op[G]pressor they went to de[Bm]fy[D].
While pa[G]troling [Bm]our stree[C]ts they met with the [Bm]foe[C],
And with guns at the [G]ready our lads had a [D]go.
So we`ll [G]raise up our [Bm]hands and we`ll [Em]curse that British[C] hand,
Who tore [G]out the very [Bm]hearts of men who [Em]dared to cross their [D]path,
But my [G]heart is broke in [Bm]two, won`t you [Em]tell me what to [C]do,
They couldn`t [G]stop poor George and [Em]Pop and they`ll [C]not stop[D] me and [G]you.
George and Pop lyrics
