Today we meet a civic band
In proud congratulation
To celebrate the gallant stand
Which saved our faith and nation
No recreant fear shall hush the cheer
Which waks us to remember
The closing gate and boyish feat
Of glorious old December.
Then raise the cheer to freemen dear
And toast each brave defender
For nought imparts to Derry hearts
A thrill like No surrender.
Brave hearts they stuck the rallying blow
For each loved home and altar
Nor traitor friend nor bigot foe
Their plighted faith could falter
Old Walker's zeal and Murray's steel
Came in their need to cheer them
And sallies great from open gate
Soon taught their foe to fear them.
Then raise the cheer to freemen dear
And toast each brave defender
For nought imparts to Derry hearts
A thrill like No surrender.
Gainst Mighty odds they held their wall
Through plague and grim starvation
Combined to cause their city's fall
And crush the hapless nation
True to their trust no craven durst
E'en breathe the word SURRENDER
For gathering ill but nerved the will
Of each resolved Defender!
Then raise the cheer to freemen dear
And toast each brave defender
For nought imparts to Derry hearts
A thrill like No surrender.
Till townward on Foyle's rising tide
Brave Browning's vessel bounded
A shock-a crash-a belched broadside
And victory's note has sounded
Then banded here, from year to year
We'll cherish the proud story
Come weal or woe no plotting foe
Shall rob us of our glory!
Then raise the cheer to freemen dear
And toast each brave defender
For nought imparts to Derry hearts
A thrill like No surrender.
Behold the cimson banner's float,
O'er yonder turfret hoary.
It tells of days of mighty note,
And Derry's deathless glory,
When her brave sons undaunted stood,
Embattled to defend her
Indignant stemmed oppression's flood
And sang out "No Surrender".
Then here's to the boys that fear no noise,
And never will surrender.
The gates we'll close against her foes,
On the eighteenth of December
Old Derry's walls were firm and strong,
Well fenced in ev'ry quarter.
Each frowning bastion grim along,
With culverin and mortar.
But Derry has a surer guard
Than all that art could lend her.
Her 'Prentice hearts the gates who barred
And sand out "No Surrender".
Then here's to the boys that fear no noise,
And never will surrender.
The gates we'll close against her foes,
On the eighteenth of December
On came the foe in bigot ire,
And fierce assault was given.
By shot and shell, mid stream of fire,
Her fatal roofs were riven.
But baffled was the tyrant's wrath,
And vain his hope to bend her.
For still 'mid famine, fire and death
She sang out "No surrender".
Then here's to the boys that fear no noise,
And never will surrender.
The gates we'll close against her foes,
On the eighteenth of December
Again, when treason maddened round,
And rebel hordes were swarming,
Were Derry's sons the foremost found
For King and Country arming.
And forth they rushed at honour's call,
From age to boyhood tender.
Again to man there virgin wall,
And sang out "No surrender".
Then here's to the boys that fear no noise,
And never will surrender.
The gates we'll close against her foes,
On the eighteenth of December
Long may the crimson banner wave,
A meteor streaming airy.
Portentous of the free and brave,
Who manned the walls of Derry.
And Derry's sons alike defy
Pope, traitor or pretender,
And ring to heaven their 'Prentice cry
Their patriot "No Surrender".
Then here's to the boys that fear no noise,
And never will surrender.
The gates we'll close against her foes,
On the eighteenth of December
I'll remember I'll try, it was nearly July,
As we walked down the road I'll remember the year,
There was me, there was Sam, Jimmy Sloan and McCann,
Would enlist in the Volunteers.
And the man says to me, 'Boy I hope you will see,
'And remember this day all the things you've been taught',
It could be now or then, but we'll fight once again,
For the things that our grandfathers fought.
And I swore like the rest to the badge on my breast,
To the gun in my hand I will fight for my land,
With my hand held high I took that vow ,
And I joined Number One Platoon.
And deep down inside my heart fills with pride,
I remember the men who have fought through the years,
I could name quite a few but to me and to you,
They were Ulster Volunteers.
And to all here today just some words I must say,
To remember this day,
All the things you've been taught,
It could be now or then, but we'll fight once again ,
For the things that our grandfathers fought.
And I swore like the rest to the badge on my breast,
To the gun in my hand I will fight for my land,
With my hand held high I took that vow,
And I joined Number One Platoon.
Over many years of conflict through loss and hurt and pain,
From every part of Ulster to the Shankills narrow lanes,
No braver men you'll care to meet through out this loyal land,
Than the men of No.4 Platoon who serve the old red hand.
We salute these gallant heroes the bravest of the brave,
We thank you for our way of life and this land you helped to save,
In the fight against our enemys you never let us down,
We thank the men of no.4 Platoon who serve our Queen and Crown.
Thier forever at the ready, forever standing strong,
Always watching over us to undo any wrong,
The pride of our six county's, their loyal to the core,
The fighting men, men who wear the black and serve with no. 4.
This peace that we enjoy now you earned with battles won,
A place in Ulsters history for the deeds that you have done,
So to these loyal soldiers no one could ask for more,
We raise our glass and thanks we give to the men of No. 4.
Gallant men defend our rights,
Through this land both day and night,
Gallant men that serve and strive,
God and Ulster and Number Five.
Famous deeds will now unfold,
Handed down now to be told,
Famous deeds that will survive,
Fame and glory and Number Five.
Through these years of ill repute,
Fighting men we now salute,
Fighting men simply the best,
These are the men of the U.V.F.
Gallant men that serve and strive,
God and Ulster and Number Five,
Famous deeds that will survive,
Fame and glory and Number Five.
