DESCRIPTION:
Black 47 anthemic tribute to James Connolly - socialist union leader, one of those who led the Easter 1916 uprising and were subsequently executed by the British. Black 47 recaptures the working class spirit and passion of James Connolly in their song.

Larry Kirwan, lead singer of the band who wrote the song explains:
With [1916 Irish socialist hero] James Connolly, I hated the old standard song "The Ballad of James Connolly." As a socialist myself, I resented that he had been railroaded by tears-in-the-beer nationalism. I thought that Connolly would have resented that, too. I always have to find a way to enter [the person's] spirit, as it were. With Connolly, it was quite simple. What must he have felt-knowing that he was going to be executed-about leaving his family fatherless and penniless? Once I found that chink in the armor, the rest was just a matter of diligent and knowledgeable songwriting.