Legion of the Rearguard
[G]Up
the Republic, they [D]raise
their battle cry
[C]Pearse
and Mc[G]Dermott
will [C]pray
for you on [D]high.
[G]Eager
and ready, for [D]love
of you they die.
[C]Proud
march the [G]soldiers
of the [D]rear-[G]guard.
[chorus] [G]Legion
[D]of
the [G]rear-[Em]guard,
[C]answering
[D]Ireland’s
[G]call.
[C]Hark,
their [D]martial
[G]tramp
is felt from [Em]Cork
to [C]Done-[D]gal.
Wolfe [G]Tone
and [D]Emmett
[G]guide
[Em]you,
[C]though
your [D]task
be [G]hard.
[C]DeValera
[D]leads
[G]you!
--- Soldiers of the [D]legion
of the [C]rear-[G]guard.
[G]Glorious
the morning through [D]flame
and shot and shell
[C]Now,
rally [G]Ireland,
your [C]sons
who love you [D]well.
[G]Pledged,
they’ll defend you, though [D]death
or prison cell
[C]Wait
for the [G]soldiers
of the [D]rear-[G]guard.
[chorus]
[G]Crimson
the roadside, the [D]prison
wall, the cave.
[C]Proof
of their [G]valor,
go [C]sleep
in peace ye [D]brave.
[G]Comrades
tread lightly, you’re [D]near
a hero’s grave.
[C]Proud
die the [G]soldiers
of the [D]rear-[G]guard.
[chorus]
[G]Shell-shattered fortress and [D]shot-scarred brigade,[chorus] [G]Legion
[D]of
the [G]rear-[Em]guard,
[C]answering
[D]Ireland’s
[G]call.
[C]Hark,
their [D]martial
[G]tramp
is felt from [Em]Cork
to [C]Done-[D]gal.
Wolfe [G]Tone
and [D]Emmett
[G]guide
[Em]you,
[C]though
your [D]task
be [G]hard.
[C]DeValera
[D]leads
[G]you!
--- Soldiers of the [D]legion
of the [C]rear-[G]guard.