The Ballad Of Billy Reid

The Ballad Of Billy Reid refers to William Billy Reid, an active member of the Third Battalion Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (pIRA). On 15 May 1971 a foot patrol of the British army was ambushed in Academy Street in the centre of Belfast by the Third Battalion Belfast Brigade. Billy Reid, aged 32, was killed in the ensuing gunfight.

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The Ballad Of Billy Reid

I'll sing you a song of a terrible wrong,
When the flags all flew at half mast.
And a man he lay dead he'd been riddled with lead,
And he died on the streets of Belfast.

All the radio said was another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die
'Cause he died to free Ireland.

It happened one day when the bold IRA
Set out to fight for their land
With an old Thompson gun put the troops on the run
And return to their home was their plan.

All the radio said was another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die
'Cause he died to free Ireland.

While returning the guns Billy met British Huns
And when the fight had begun
His position was dire when his gun wouldn't fire
So he died with that old Thompson gun.

All the radio said was another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die
'Cause he died to free Ireland.

Allthough he lay dead he was kicked in the head,
By the hair they dragged him around.
But the still fear him yet and we can never forget,
How brave Billy Reid stood his ground.

All the radio said was another shot dead
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die
'Cause he died to free Ireland.

If you think he was right come and join in the fight,
And help us to free Belfast.
For the blood that he shed and although he lay dead,
In our hearts his memory will last.

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