[Verse]
It was on the 12th of May, boys, in 1921,
When the news ran through all Scotland that a daring deed was done,
It was by a band of rebels to release an Irishman,
They assembled in the High Street where they smashed the prison van.

[Chorus]
So here's to the boys who done it, their cause was staunch and true,
Each man who played his part that day was Irish through and through,
Side by side they stood there, revolvers in their hands,
Did that band of Irish rebels at the smashing of the van.

[Verse]
Those clever Glasgow police were quickly on the scene,
They arrested everybody connected with Sinn Féin,
They arrested Father McRory a noisy clergyman,
But they only showed their ignorance at the smashing of the van.

[Chorus]
So here's to the boys who done it, their cause was staunch and true,
Each man who played his part that day was Irish through and through,
Side by side they stood there, revolvers in their hands,
Did that band of Irish rebels at the smashing of the van.

[Verse]
Now, the trial, it is over, and the crown case it did fail,
Although they did their very best to send our boys to jail,
Defended by their counsellors McKane and Sandyman,
Sure the verdict was 'Not Guilty' at the smashing of the van.

[Chorus]
So here's to the boys who done it, their cause was staunch and true,
Each man who played his part that day was Irish through and through,
Side by side they stood there, revolvers in their hands,
Did that band of Irish rebels at the smashing of the van.

[Chorus]
So here's to the boys who done it, their cause was staunch and true,
Each man who played his part that day was Irish through and through,
Side by side they stood there, revolvers in their hands,
Did that band of Irish rebels at the smashing of the van.