[Verse]
In the town of Sligo,
A boy became a man,
He joined the ranks of volunteers,
The bravest in the land.

To be an IRA volunteer,
Filled his heart with joy,
This lad of twenty one years old,
Who came from Magheraboy.

He loved the football and the craic,
Could not stand idly by,
Ireland's cause he claimed his own,
Freedom was his pride.

He followed in the footsteps of,
His comrade, Kevin Coen,
To fight the British forces in,
Fermanagh and Tyrone.

[Chorus]
Joseph McManus,
Went north to join the fight,
He fought and died for Ireland's cause,
With dignity and pride.

In our hearts and in our minds,
We'll always hold him true,
Joseph McManus,
We'll remember you.

[Verse]
On active service in Belleek,
That February morn,
Engaging British forces,
With anger and with scorn.

Cruel fate dealt him ablow,
This lad of twenty one,
Our gallant volunteer was killed,
Shot down by a British gun.

His family, they were heartfelt sore,
His girlfriend, wrecked with pain,
To lose the one they loved so much,
They'd never see again.

But though parted they may be,
He did not die in vain,
They proudly carry on the fight,
In memory of his name.

[Chorus]
Joseph McManus,
Went north to join the fight,
He fought and died for Ireland's cause,
With dignity and pride.

In our hearts and in our minds,
We'll always hold him true,
Joseph McManus,
We'll remember you.

[Verse]
In proud and loving memory of,
This volunteer, so brave,
Words of honour are inscribed,
So boldly on his grave.

So Irish men and women,
Who fight the British foe,
Remember Joe McManus,
The finest from Sligo.

[Chorus]
Joseph McManus,
Went north to join the fight,
He fought and died for Ireland's cause,
With dignity and pride.

In our hearts and in our minds,
We'll always hold him true,
Joseph McManus,
We'll remember you.

[Outro]
In our hearts and in our minds,
We'll always hold him true,
Joseph McManus,
We'll remember you.