Why "The Beach is the Border" Still Echoes in Irish Music

The Beach is the Border

A rousing, defiant anthem that traces centuries of struggle against the Crown and argues for a united Ireland with the recurring refrain "The beach is the border." It draws on historical memory — naming 1922 and the northern counties — and matters because songs like this continue the Irish tradition of telling history, asserting identity, and galvanising communities through music.

Hey!

Onward we march, forever we strived, the heart of our nation shall not be deprived

For eight hundred years, we stood strong in the fight,
Through Torment and Famine, our spirits ignite.
We took every burden, we weathered the storm,
And still we stood firm as the centuries rolled on.

The Crown came a killing, their banners waved high,
But they couldn't destroy us, although many died.
From east to the west and the north to the south
When our people united, we drove them back out.

The beach is the border, it always will be,
From village to city, We'll rise and be free.
A nation divided is not what we’ll be,
With strength, pride, and courage, united we’ll be.

We ousted the Crown and we thought we were through
But they installed their puppets in nineteen twenty two
These quislings have now got control of our land
They trick us with lies and with slight of hand

So the people of Erin must rise once again
To throw out the traitors destroying our land
We will have nothing while they're in command
And take back our birthright, the soul of our land

We haven't forgotten about Armagh or Down
Antrim, Fermanagh, Derry or county Tyrone
So rise up ye rebels and bring them back home
To the heart of old Erin is where they belong

The beach is the border, it always will be,
From village to city, We'll rise and be free.
A nation divided is not what we’ll be,
With strength, pride, and courage, united we’ll be.

So gather your strength for the battles to come
When our nation unites, shur it wont take us long
Our history’s not written till Erin is free
The beach is the border, and it always will be,

Our history’s not written till Erin is free
The beach is the border,,,,, and it always will be,

Our history’s not written till Erin is free
The beach is the border,,,,, and it always will be,

Follow our Irish Music videos on YouTube for more songs from the tradition.

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