(For Clancy Brothers’ Version use capo on 4th fret = F mayor)
(C)Up the Republic, we (G7)raise their battle cry,
(F)Pearse and Mc(C)Dermott will (F)pray for you on (G)high,
(C)Eager and ready, for (G7)love of you they die
(F)Proud march the (C)soldiers of the (G)Rear(C)guard.
Chorus:
(C)Legion (G)of the (C)Rear(Am)guard,
(F)answering (G)Ireland's (C)call,
(F)Hark their (G)martial (C)tramp
is (Am)heard from (F)Cork to (Am)Done(G7)gal,
Wolfe (C)Tone and (G)Emmett (C)guide
(Am)you, (F)though your (G)task be (C)hard,
(F)De (G7)Valera (C)leads you, soldiers
of the (Am)Legion of the (G)Rear(C)guard.
(C)Glorious the morning, through (G7)flame and shot and shell,
(F)Now rally (C)Ireland, your (F)sons who love you (G)well
(C)Pledged, they'll defend you, through (G7)death or prison cell
(F)Wait for the (C)soldiers of the (G)Rear(C)guard.
Chorus
(C)Crimson the roadside, the (G7)prison wall, the cave,
(F)Proof of their (C)valour, go (F)sleep in peace ye (G)brave,
(C)Comrade tread lightly, you're (G7)near a hero's grave,
(F)Proud die the (C)soldiers of the (G)Rear(C)guard.
Chorus
