Well, I am a modern hero
Me name is Paddy Kearney
Not long ago, I landed from
The bogs of sweet Killarney
I used to cry out "Soap fat,"
Because that was my trade sir
'till I 'listed for a soldier boy
With Corcoran's brigade, sir

For to fight for Uncle Sam
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars

Ora, once in regimentals
Me mind it did bewilder
I bid goodbye to Biddy dear
And all the darling childher
Oh, says I, the Irish volunteers
The devil a-one afraid is
Because we've got the soldier bold
McClellan for to lead us

For to fight for Uncle Sam
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars
We soon got into battle
We made a charge of bay'nets
The rebel blaggards soon gave way
They fell as thick as paynuts
Och, hone, the slaughter that we made
Bedad, it was delighting
For the Irish lads in action
Are the devil's boys for fighting

They'll fight for Uncle Sam
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars

For to fight for Uncle Sam
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars

Och, sure, we never will give in
In any sort of manner
Until the South comes back again
Beneath the starry banner
And if John Bull should interfere
He'd suffer for it truly
For soon the Irish Volunteers
Would give him ballyhooly
We'll fight for Uncle Sam
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars

And now, before I end my song
This free advice, I'll tender
We soon will use the rebels up
And make them all surrender
And once again, the stars and stripes
Will to the breeze be swellin'
If Uncle Abe will give us back
Our darlin' boy McClellan

We'll follow little Mac
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars

He'll lead us on to glory, O!
He'll lead us on to glory, O!
To save the stripes and stars