An Ulsterman I am proud to be
From the Antrim Glens I come.
Though I earn my living by the sea
I have followed fife and drum.
I have heard the martial tramp of men
I've seen them fight and die.
It's well I do remember when
I followed Henry Joy.

I pulled my boat up from the sea
I hid my sails away,
I hung my nets on a greenwood tree
And scanned the moonlit bay.
The boys were out, and the Redcoats too,
I kissed my wife goodbye;
And in the shade of the greenwood glade
I followed Henry Joy.

It was for Ireland's cause we fought;
In Ireland's cause we bled,
Though our hearts beat true, our pikes were few
And five to one lay dead,
And many a lassie mourned her lad,
And mother mourned her boy;
For youth was strong in that gallant throng
That followed Henry Joy.

In Belfast town, they built a tree
And the Redcoats mustered there
I saw him come to the beat of a drum
Down to the barrack's square
He kissed his sister, went aloft
He bade his last goodbye
And as he died, I turned and cried
They have murdered Henry Joy!