90 Miles From Dublin

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I’m ninety miles from Dublin Town I’m in a H-Block cell
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To help you understand my plight this story now I’ll tell
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I’m on the Blanket Protest my efforts must not fail
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I’m joined by men and women in the Blocks and Armagh Gaol


[Verse 2]
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It all began the morning I was dragged to Castlerea
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And though it was three years ago it seems like yesterday
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Three days kicked and beaten and then I was forced to sign
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Confessions that convicted me of deeds that were not mine


[Verse 3]
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Sentenced in a Diplock court my protest it began
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I could not wear that prison gear I was a Blanket Man
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I’ll not accept your status I’ll not be criminalised
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That’s the issue in the Blocks for which we give our lives


[Verse 4]
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Over there in London how they’d laugh and sneer
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If they could only make us wear their loathsome prison gear
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Prisoners of War is what we are and that we will remain
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The Blanket Protest must not end till our status we regain


[Verse 5]
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I’ve been beaten round the romper room because I won’t say sir
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Frogmarched down the landing and pulled back by the hair
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I’ve suffered degradation humility and pain
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My spirit does not falter british torture is in vain


[Verse 6]
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I’ve been held in scalding water my skin with deck scrubs torn
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Scratched and cut from head to foot and thrown out on the floor
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Suffered mirror searches probed by drunken bears
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I’ve listened to my comrades’ scream and sob their lonely prayers


[Verse 7]
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Now with the news that’s coming in the Protest must not fail
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We’ve been joined by thirty women across in Armagh Gaol
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Pay attention Irish men and Irish women too
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Show the Free State government their silence will not do


[Verse 8]
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Though its ninety miles from Dublin it seems so far away
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It’s like we’re getting more support from the USA
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Now you’ve heard the story I am in this living hell
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Remember ninety miles away I’m in my H-Block cell