Pat Murphy of Meagher's Brigade

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"Pat Murphy Of Meagher's Brigade", also known as "Pat Murphy Of The Irish Brigade" or "Song Of The Splintered Shillelagah", is song that comes from the American Civil War. The song tells the story of a fictional character, "Pat Murphy", who serves under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher in the Irish Brigade of the Union Army. Murphy serves to illustrate the plight of the Irish in the Civil War.

The song blames both Secessionists in the South and Abolitionists in the North for starting the war. It also shows the motivation for the Irish immigrant involvement in the war, they hoped that after the war the United States would support them in the fight for Irish Independence.

Then, surely, Columbia can never forget,
While valor and fame hold communion,
How nobly the brave Irish Volunteers fought,
In defense of the flag of our Union:
And, if ever Old Ireland for freedom should strike,
We'll a helping hand offer quite freely:
And the Stars and the Stripes shall be seen alongside,
Of the Flag of the Land of Shillaly!