[Verse]
I was born in a Belfast street where the loyal drums did beat,
Those English loving feet they walked all over us,
Each and every night when me da would come home tight,
He'd invite the neighbours out with this chorus.
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans, come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lakes of Killashandra.
[Verse]
Come let you bravely tell how you slandered great Parnell,
You thought them well and truly persecuted,
Where are your cheers and jeers that you boldly let us hear,
When our leaders of '16 were executed?
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans, come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lakes of Killashandra.
[Verse]
Come tell us how you slew the old Arabs two by two,
The Zulus they had spears and bows and arrows,
How bravely you faced each one with your fifty pounder gun,
You frightened them poor natives to their marrow.
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans, come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lakes of Killashandra.
[Bridge]
The I, the I, the IRA.
[Verse]
Well the hour is drawing close and the time will soon draw near,
Each tan and traitor we will be cast before us,
If there is a need sure me kids will say, "Godspeed!",
With a verse or two of Stephen Behan's chorus.
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans, come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lakes of Killashandra.
[Chorus]
Come out you British Huns, come fight without your guns,
Tell your wife how you will beat us down in Derry,
You've butchered fourteen men, you'd do the same again,
Go on home you go and take your British border.
[Chorus]
Come out you black and tans, come out and fight me like a man,
Show your wives how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lakes of Killashandra.