The Dublin Fusiliers lyrics and chords

Written by singer / songwriter Johnny McEvoy, a fine anti war song about an Irish battalion of the British army, with the British promising home rule for Ireland after the great war many Irish signed up to fight for the British army, they were betrayed again. The chords for this song were kindly sent by Marc Fahrbach who plays Irish music in Germany, thanks Marc.To play along with Johnny McEvoy use capo on the 2nd fret
The D7-chord used in the chord set below is fully optional. 4/4 timing. List of Johnny McEvoy songs that appear on this folk site.

When (G)I was young (C)and in my prime 
(G)I thought I'd take a (D)chance,(D7)
To (G)join with my com(C)panions 
(G)And fight the (D)war in (G)France,
John (D)Redmond said when (C)peace has (G)come, 
(C)Old Ireland (G)will be (D)free (D7)
When (G)you return brave (C)heroes 
From the (G)war with (D)Germa(G)ny
 
 
Chorus
And (D)in my dreams (G)I see them still 
Come (C)marching (G)down the (D)years(D7)
The (G)boys who stood be(C)side me in 
The (G)Dublin (D)Fusil(G)iers
 
There was (G)Johnny Roach from (C)Dolphins Barn 
And (G)Micko from rings(D)end,(D7)
(G)And Willy Doyle from (C)Dalky Town 
(G)None better (D)as a (G)friend
We (D)marched together (C)through the (G)mud 
(C)The likes you’ve (G)never (D)seen(D7)
And (G)as we passed (C)we sang a song 
''The (G)Wearing (D)Of The (G)Green''
 
 
Chorus
Poor (G)Micko fell at (C)Messin Ridge
While (G)tryin’ to take the (D)hill(D7)
(G)A German bullet (C)brought him down, 
(G)His body (D)cold and (G)still
And (D)Johnny Roach and (C)Willie (G)Doyle 
Though (C)they were (G)never (D)found(D7)
Like (G)thousands they still (C)lie today 
Be(G)neath the (D)battle (G)ground
 
 
Chorus
Now (G)I am old- (C)not wanted here 
(G)A stranger in my (D)home(D7)
(G)I sit alone in (C)my backyard 
(G)And watch the (D)sun go (G)down
But (D)medals are no (C)good to (G)you 
When (C)you are (G)old and (D)grey(D7)
And the (G)taste of gas (C)upon your lips 
Will (G)never (D)go a(G)way
Chorus twice

Song Words Without The Chords
When I was young and in my prime I thought I'd take a chance,
Join with my companions and fight the war in France,
John Redmond says when peace has come, Old Ireland will be free
When you return brave heroes from the war with Germany
And in my dreams I see them still come marching down the years The boys that stood beside mew in the Dublin fusiliers
 
There was Johnny Roach from Dolphins Barn and Micko from ringsend,
And Willy Doyle from Dalky town none better as a friend
We marched together through the mud the likes you never seen
And as we passed we sang a song ''The Wearing Of The Green''
And in my dreams I see them still come marching down the hill
The boys that stood beside me in the Dublin fusiliers
 
Poor Micko fell at messin ridge while trying to take the hill
A German bullet brought him down, his body cold and still
And Johnny Roach and Willie Doyle though they were never found
Like thousands they still lie today beneath the battle ground
And in my dreams I see them still, come marching down the hill,
The boys that stood beside me in the Dublin fusiliers
 
Now I no more not wanted here stranger in my home
I sit alone in my backyard and watch the sun go down
But medals are no good to you when you are old and grey
And the taste of gas upon your lips will never go away
And in my dreams I see them still, come marching down the hill
The boys that stood beside me in the Dublin fusiliers