But it never made a difference
For the friendship it was strong
And sometimes in the evening
When we heard the sound of drums
We said it wont divide us
We will always be as one

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

It was on a Sunday morning
When the awful news came round
Another killing had been done
Just outside Newry Town
We knew that Isaac danced up there
We knew he liked the band
But when we heard that he was dead
We just could not understand

The fear it filled the countryside
There was fear in every home
When late at night a car came
Prowling round the Ryan Road
A Catholic would be killed tonight
To even up the score
Oh Christ, it's young MacDonald
They have taken from the door

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together

Now I don't know where the moral is
Or where this song should end
But I wonder just how many wars
Are fought between good friends
And those who give the orders
Are not the ones to die
It's Scott and young MacDonald
And the likes of you and I

There were roses, roses
There were roses
And the tears of a people ran together