17 May 2005 sound-check version
Come all you young rebels and listen while I sing
For love of one's country is a terrible thing
It banishes fear like the speed of a flame
And it makes you part of the patriot game
My name is O'Hanion and I just turned eighteen
My home is Wisconsin, yeah there I was weaned
I was taught my whole life to the other to blame
So now I'm a part of the patriot game
Been two years since I wandered away
With the local battalion of the bold IRA
I read of the heroes and I wanted the same
To play out my part in the patriot game
Now they were shunning my body all holes
And I think of the traitors who bargained and sold
Sorry my rifle hasn't done the same
'Cept play tricks with the patriot game
THE PATRIOT GAME is a 1958 song by Dominic Behan. See the original Dominic Behan version for more details.
The above lyrics are for the 17 May 2005 sound-check version of THE PATRIOT GAME at Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA, during the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour. The song was played in a pump organ arrangement. It was not played on the regular show that night, or on any other date during that tour.
THE PATRIOT GAME was sound-checked prior to the 17 May 2005 show in Upper Darby, PA, (as far as it's known) but it was not performed on any of the Devils & Dust Solo Acoustic Tour's regular shows.
List of available versions of THE PATRIOT GAME on this website:
THE PATRIOT GAME [17 May 2005 sound-check version]