An Ulster man I am proud to be, from the Antrim glens I come,
Although I've labour by the sea, I have followed fife and drum,
I have heard the martial tramp of men, I've seen them fight and die,
And it's well that I remember when I followed Henry Joy.

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

Ah, lads, for Ireland's cause we fought, and for home and sire, we bled,
Though our numbers few and our hearts be true and five to one lay dead,
And manys the lassie mourns her lads and mother mourns her 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 saw him come as the beat of the drum rolled out in the barrack square,
He kissed his sister and went aloft, then waved a last goodbye,
Alas he died, I turned and I cried, "They have murdered Henry Joy!".