[Verse]
Well I'll sing you a song of a terrible wrong,
When the flags they all flew at half mast,
And a young man lay dead, he was riddled with lead,
And he died on the streets of Belfast.

[Chorus]
Oh, and the radio said, "Was another shot dead,
And he died with a gun in his hand",
But they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die,
For he died to free Ireland.

[Verse]
Well it happened one day, when the bold IRA,
Went out to fight for their land,
With an old Thompson, put the Brits on the run,
To return to their home was the plan.

[Chorus]
Oh, and the radio said, "Was another shot dead,
And he died with a gun in his hand",
But they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die,
For he died to free Ireland.

[Verse]
While returning the guns, Billy met British Huns,
And then a fight had begun,
His position was dire and his gun wouldn't fire,
So he died with that old Thompson gun.

[Chorus]
Oh, and the radio said, "Was another shot dead,
And he died with a gun in his hand",
But they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die,
For he died to free Ireland.

[Verse]
And although he lay dead, he was kicked in the head,
By the hair they dragged him around,
But they still fear him yet and they'll never forget,
How brave Billy Reid stood his ground.

[Chorus]
Oh, and the radio said, "Was another shot dead,
And he died with a gun in his hand",
But they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die,
For he died to free Ireland.

[Verse]
If you think he was right, come and join in the fight,
And help to free Belfast,
For the blood Billy shed and although he lies dead,
In our hearts his memory will last.

[Chorus]
Oh, and the radio said, "Was another shot dead,
And he died with a gun in his hand",
But they didn't say why Billy Reid had to die,
For he died to free Ireland,
Yes, he died to free Ireland.