An Ulster man I am proud to be, from the Antrim glens I've come,
And though I laboured by the sea, I have followed flag and drum,
I have heard the martial tramp of men, I've seen them fight and die,
Ah, lads, do I remember when I followed Henry Joy.

I pulled my boat in from the sea and I hid my sails away,
I put my nets under a tree and I scanned the moonlit bay,
The boys were out, the redcoats too, I kissed my love goodbye,
And there beneath that greenwood shade, I followed Henry Joy.

Well we fought for Ireland's glory then, for home and sire, we bled,
Though our numbers few and our hearts be true and five to one lay dead,
And many a mother mourned her lad and many a man his boy,
For youth was strong in the dashing throng that followed Henry Joy.

In Belfast town, they built a tree and the redcoats mustered there,
I heard him come as the beating of the drum did sound o'er the barrack square,
He kissed his sister, went aloft, he said a sad goodbye,
Ah, lads, he died, I turned and I cried, "You have murdered Henry Joy!".