[Verse 1]
'Twas on Good Friday morning, all in the month of May
The German ships were lying there, beyond there in the bay
We've twenty thousand rifles all ready for to land
But no answering signald came to them from the lonely Banna Strand
[Verse 2]
A motor car was dashing through the early morning gloom
A sudden crash and in the sea they went to meet their doom
Two Irish boys lay dying there, just like their hopes so grand
They could not give the signal now from lonely Banna Strand
[Verse 3]
"No signal answers from the shore," Sir Roger sadly said
'No comrades here to welcome me, alas, they must be dead;
But I must do my duty, and so I mean to land,"
So in a boat he pulled ashore, to lonely Banna Strand
[Verse 4]
The R.I.C. were searching for Sir Roger high and low
They found him at McKenna’s Fort, said they, "You are, our foe."
Said he, "I'm Roger Casement, I came to Ireland
I meant to free my countrymen on lonely Banna Strand."
[Verse 5]
They took Sir Roger prisoner and they sailed for London Town
And in the Tower they named a traitor to the Crown
Said he, "I am no traitor", but his trial he had to stand
For bringin' German rifles to lonely Banna Strand
[Verse 6]
'Twas in an English prison that they led him to his death
"I'm dying for my country", he said with his last breath
He's buried in a prison yard far from his native home
And the wild waves sing his requiem on lonely Banna Strand
[Verse 7]
They took Sir Roger home again in the year of '65
And with his comrades of '16 in peace and tranquil lies
His last wish it has been fulfilled; he's home in Ireland
And the waves will roll in peace again, on lonely Banna Strand