By a lonely Irish ward, I heard an infant wailing
“Mammy, they said they’re taking me away,
For the people repealed the 8th
To be cut in pieces is my fate
Mammy, save me, or I’ll never see the light of day!”

Cruel, cold, the knives of Athenry
Where mothers see their terrified infants die!
In this extermination wing
There are no dreams or songs left to sing
It’s so lonely round the wards of Athenry.

By a lonely prison ward, I heard an infant crying
“There’s no future for me, Mammy, pray for me!
My gentle soul is free from sin
Why must they tear me limb from limb?
Oh mammy, spare me from this cruel indignity.”

Cruel, cold, the knives of Athenry
Where mothers see their terrified infants die
In this extermination wing
There are no dreams or songs left to sing
It’s so lonely round the wards of Athenry.

By a lonely iron bridge, she watched the last star falling
She dreamed her infant was sailing to the sky
Sure she’ll wait and hope and pray for the child they took away
It’s so lonely in the abattoirs of Athenry.