| As I walked past Portlaoise Prison
|
| «I'm innocent», a voice was heard to say
|
| «My frame-up is almost completed
|
| My people all look the other way. |
| "
|
| Seven years ago his torture started
|
| A forced confession he was made to sign
|
| Young Irish men specially trained and chosen
|
| Were on the heavy gang that made him run the line
|
| Others in the Bridewell heard him screaming
|
| Even prison doctors could see
|
| His injuries were not self-inflicted
|
| Those who tipped the scales did not agree
|
| Give the Wicklow Boy his freedom
|
| Give him back his liberty
|
| Ore are we going to leave him in chains
|
| While those who framed him up hold the key?
|
| Deprived of human rights by his own people
|
| Sickened by injustice he jumped bail
|
| In the Appalachian Mountains found a welcome
|
| Till his co-accused were both released from jail
|
| He came back expecting to get justice
|
| Special Branch took him from the plane
|
| For five years we’ve deprived him of his freedom
|
| The guilty jeer the innocent again
|
| Give the Wicklow Boy his freedom
|
| Give him back his liberty
|
| Ore are we going to leave him in chains
|
| While those who framed him up hold the key?
|
| The people versus Kelly was the title
|
| Of the farce we staged at his appeal
|
| Puppets in well rehearsed collusion
|
| I often wonder how these men must feel
|
| As I walked past Portlaoise Prison
|
| Through concrete and steel a whisper came
|
| «My frame-up is almost completed
|
| I’m innocent, Nicky Kelly is my name. |
| "
|
| Give the Wicklow Boy his freedom
|
| Give him back his liberty
|
| Ore are we going to leave him in chains
|
| While those who framed him up hold the key? |