As it is said in a rebel song:
"This Ireland of ours has too long been half free.
Six counties lie under John Bull's tyranny. "
Irish Song Lyrics - Patriot Game
Billy Reed was the first rebel to kill a British soldier during the 'Troubles' he's been lionized in song by those
desiring a United Ireland. "The Ballad of Billy Reed'
along with 'Sean South from Garryowen' are my favorites of the many great Irish rebel anti-British war ballads.
Billy Reed
I'll sing you a song, of a terrible wrong
When the flags all flew at half mast
Well the man he lay dead, he was riddled with lead
And he died on the streets of Belfast
CHORUS O the radio said, ‘there's another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never say why, Billy Reed had to die
For he died to free Ireland
It happened one day when the bold I.R.A.
Went out to fight for their land
With an old Thompson gun with the troops on the run
And return to their homes was the plan.
O the radio said, ‘there's another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never say why, Billy Reed had to die
For he died to free Ireland
While returning the guns
Billy met with British Huns
And When the fight had begun
His position was dire, when his gun wouldn’t fire
So he died with that old Thompson gun.
O the radio said, ‘there's another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never say why, Billy Reed had to die
For he died to free Ireland
Although he lay dead, he was kicked in the head
By the hair they dragged him around
For they still feared him yet and will never forget
How young Billy Reed stood his ground.
O the radio said, ‘there's another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never say why, Billy Reed had to die
For he died to free Ireland
If you think he was right,
come join in the fight
Come fight to free our land
For the blood that he shed,
although he lies dead
In our hearts his memory will cry.
O the radio said, ‘there's another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never say why, Billy Reed had to die
For he died to free Ireland
The census reveals 48% of the resident population are either Protestant or brought up Protestant, a drop of 5% from the 2001 census.
45% of the resident population are either Catholic or brought up Catholic, an increase of 1%. 7% say they either belong to another
religion or none. My feeling is Northern Ireland will remain Unionist, he real hatred during the Troubles has subsided.
