Red Hugh Lyrics - Bankers & Gangsters - Black 47

Another sleepless night 

On a foreign shore 

Candle flickers by my bed 

Locks bolt my door 

I drink too much wine 

But it gives my brain relief 

Stops the meanderings 

That root me from my sleep 

I stare out at the night 

From a sweat-soaked bed 

The Queen lays plots in London 

But she won't have my head 

The candle gutters 

The smell sweeps me back 

To the icy fields of Kinsale 

The bodies burning black 

Fire and lightning protect Tirconaill 

Fire and brimstone rain down on London 

They'll long remember Red Hugh O'Donnell 

I could not join that battle 

I gave orders from my horse 

Wick low snows had withered 

The toes inside my boots 

Still a fever of anxiety 

Racks my bones 

All my friends dead 

On Kinsale's icy roads 

Oh, were I back in Ulster 

I'd dive in Swilly's foam 

Her crystal waters 

Would soothe my soul 

Dispatches from O'Neill 

He grows old and cautious 

Our allies are deserting 

My blade would rip their stomachs 

If Philip won't help 

I'll return alone 

O'Neill longs for an armistice 

What profit in a peace 

With a queen who'll break her word 

I swear to God 

That bitch will taste my sword 

I'll drag her red wig from her head 

Pull out her poisoned tongue 

I must get back to Ulster 

The candle is dead 

There's footsteps at my door 

They halt 

I'm tormented by that whore 

Who waits at court in London 

For word of my demise 

Her agents hunt me everywhere 

But I will not be taken 

By any of her men 

My head will not grace London's spike 

I'll fight her to the end 

Tonight I sup with James Blake 

An honest man is he 

He's promised me three ships of war 

We'll sweep Lizzie from her throne 

I will take my place 

High King of the Irish 

Defender of my faith 

With O'Neill as my adviser 

O'Byrne at my side 

I'll rule with justice 

But now the dawn is breaking 

On this foreign shore 

I will arise and say my prayers 

Tomorrow I'll go home