Irish Free State
(Traditional)
Performer(s): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds



I went to see David, to London to David
I went to see David, and what did he do? 
He gave me a Free State, a nice little Free State 
A Free State that's bound up with Red, White and Blue
I brought it to Dublin to show to Dail Eirann 
I brought it to Dublin, and what did they do? 
They asked me what kind of a thing was a Free State
A Free State that's tied up with Red, White and Blue

"Three quarters of Ireland a nation," I told them
"Tied on to the Empire with Red, White and Blue
And an oath they must swear to King George and Queen Mary 
An oath they must swear to the son-in-law new
I'm teaching them Irish and painting their boxes 
All over with green, sure, what more can I do? 
Yet they tell me they want just an Irish Republic 
Without any trimmings of Red, White and Blue!