You Sold Us Down the River

Written after a long conversation with a Protestant neighbour about disillusionment felt by many working class Unionists at being set up and let down by the British ascendancy tradition during the Troubles.

Copyright courtesy of Tommy Sands (Elm Grove Music)

On the album ‘Arising from the Troubles’

Lyrics:

You promised that you’d stand by me from the very start
And you told our sons and daughters to be loyal
You have no further use for me you’ve gone and broke my heart
And you sold us down the river in the end

You sold us down the river you sold us down the river
You sold us down the river in the end

You planted us in Ireland to keep it safe and sure
And always keep the British flag a-flying
You have no futher use for me, you’ve gone and broke my heart
And you sold me down the river

And when the rebels came along from Derry to belfast
The ones who always laughed about being Loyal
You took away our parliament
You gave them all they asked
And you sold us down the river in the end

The day is fast approaching when the Ulster working man
Will seek and find a more faithful lover
For every pound you gave to us you took ten back again
And you soldus down the river in the end.