Little Armalite
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"My Little Armalite" is an Irish Republican song that praises the Armalite rifle which was used by republican paramilitaries against the British security forces in Northern Ireland.
The song dates from the early 1970s, when the Provisional Irish Republican Army secretly imported modern weaponry, including Armalite rifles, from the United States. The Armalite can refer to a version of the AR-15 (M16) rifle made specifically by the Armalite Corporation or to the Armalite AR-18, a slightly later, improved, 5.56mm rifle. Both weapons have been used by the IRA in its armed campaign, however, the song originally referred to the Armalite AR-180 semi-automatic rifle that was available to civilians in the United States at the time. (See also Provisional IRA arms importation)
The song places the narrator at first in a disadvantaged position, he is beaten and insulted by a British soldier. However, when he obtains his rifle, he is able to fight back against the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), even when they are equipped with Saracen and Saladin armoured cars. Each chorus celebrates Provisional IRA ("Provo") actions and references different republican strongholds. Firstly the Bogside area of Derry, then the Falls Road and Poleglass in Belfast and Crossmaglen in South Armagh and Bellaghy in southern County Londonderry.
[edit] Lyrics
(Armalite Firing In Background)
Chorus:
And it's down along the Falls Road that's where I long to be
Lying in the dark with the Provo company
A comrade on me left ai another one on me right
And a clip of ammunition for me little Armalite!
I was stopped by a soldier he said "you are a swine"
He hit me with his rifle and he kicked me in the groin
I begged and I pleaded oh my manners were polite
but all the time I'm thinking of me little Armalite!
Chorus:
And it's down in the Bogside that's were I long to be
Lying in the dark with the Provo company
A comrade on me left and another one on me right
And a clip of ammunition for me little Armalite!
Well this brave RUC man came marching up our street
600 British soldiers he had lined up at his feet,
Come out ya cowardly Fenians come on out and fight
he cried I'm only joking, when he heard the Armalite!
Chorus:
And its down in Bellaghy that's where i long to be
lying in the dark with the provo company
a comrade on me left and another one on me right
and a clip of ammunition for me little Armalite!
Well the army came to visit me 'twas in the early hours
With saracens and saladins and ferret armoured cars,
They thought they had me cornered but I gave them all a fright
With the armourpiercing bullets of me little Armalite!
Chorus:
And it's down in The New Lodge that's were I long to be
Lying in the dark with the Provo company
A comrade on me left and another one on me right
And a clip of ammunition for me little Armalite!
Well when premier came to Belfast says he the battles won
The generals they have told him we've got them on the run,
But corporals and privates while on patrol at night
They remember Narrow Water and the bloody Armalite!
Chorus:
And it's down in Crossmaglen that's were I long to be
Lying in the dark with the Provo company
A comrade on me left and another one on me right
And a clip of ammunition for me little Armalite!
