Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Tim O'Brien
Canonical path: /tim-obrien/john-riley
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
John Riley
Read John Riley lyrics by Tim O'Brien on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
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Lyrics
John Riley
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John Riley came form Galway town in the years of the Irish hunger
And he sailed away to America when the country was much younger
The place was strange and work was scarce and all he knew was farming
So he followed his other Irish friends to a job in the US Army
Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory
They marched down Texas way to the banks of the Rio Grande
They built a fort on the banks above to taunt old Santa Anna
They were treated bad, paid worse, and then the fighting started
The more they fought the less they thought of the damned old US Army
Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory
When the church bells rang on Sunday morn it set his soul a shiver
He saw the Senoritas washing their hair on the far side of the river
John Riley and two hundred more Irish mercenaries
Cast their lot, right or not, south of the Rio Grande
Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory
They fought bravely under the flag of the San Patricios
Till the Yankees soldiers beat them down at the battle of Churubusco
Then fifteen men were whipped like mules
And on the cheeks were hot iron branded
Made to dig the graves of fifty more, who a hanging fate had handed
Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory
John Riley stands and drinks alone at a bar in Vera Cruz
He wonders if it matters much if you win or if you lose
I'm a man who can't go home , a wanderer, says he
A victim of some wanderlust and divided loyalty
Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory
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Who performs "John Riley"?
Tim O'Brien performs "John Riley", and this lyric page sits inside the Tim O'Brien catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "John Riley"?
Yes. The related section below points to All I Want and Another Day with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Tim O'Brien?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Tim O'Brien's lyric pages.
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