There is not in this wide world an emblem so sweet
As the green flag of Erin, no others I’d greet.
When above us it’s waving, our hearts don’t feel cold;
It’s the banner of freedom, the Green, White and Gold.

Beneath this banner of freedom many brave heroes died,
And throughout our sad country our foes we defied.
Sure, the Saxons, they thought that our courage was broken and cold,
Till o’er Dublin we hoisted the Green, White and Gold.

Our dear mother is happy again, you may see,
When a flag, it will wave o’er a land that is free.
Let us pull well together, be valiant and bold;
A republic we’ll have ‘neath the Green, White and Gold.

East Clare, I believe, wants a new brand M.P.
And when making your selections take a straight tip from me.
Colonel Lynch and his sprouters our country have sold,
But it’s DeValera we’ll have ‘neath the Green, White and Gold.

"Coming as it did hard on the heels of the Easter Rebellion, the East Clare by-election of 1917 played a vital part in the movement towards Irish Independence. Held at the time of the First World War, the election was fought largely on a pro-German ticket on the basis of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend'. Newly released from prison and having narrowly avoided execution for his part in the Rebellion, Eamon DeValera easily took the seat with a resounding majority of nearly 3,000 votes, against his opponent Patrick Lynch."

The above commentary, lyrics and recording are taken from ‘Around the Hills of Clare: Songs and Recitations from the Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie Collection’ (2004) Musical Traditions Records MTCD331-2/Góilín Records 005-6.