[Verse]
At Easter time, 1916,
When flowers bloomed and leaves were green,
There dawned a day when freedom's cry,
Called on brave men come fight or die.

[Chorus]
They were the men with a vision, the men with a cause,
The men who defied their oppressor's laws,
The men who traded their chains for guns,
Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons.

[Verse]
In Dublin town, they fought and died,
With Pearse, MacDermott and MacBride,
"Ourselves alone!", their battle cry,
And freedom rang that Easter sky.

[Chorus]
They were the men with a vision, the men with a cause,
The men who defied their oppressor's laws,
The men who traded their chains for guns,
Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons.

[Verse]
A poet's dream had sparked the flame,
A raging fire, it soon became,
And from that fire of destiny,
Arose a nation, proud and free.

[Chorus]
They were the men with a vision, the men with a cause,
The men who defied their oppressor's laws,
The men who traded their chains for guns,
Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons.

[Verse]
Six counties are in bondage still,
They died brave men, was this their will?
Until we're free and oppression cease,
Only then brave men can sleep in peace.

[Chorus]
They were the men with a vision, the men with a cause,
The men who defied their oppressor's laws,
The men who traded their chains for guns,
Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons,
Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons.