On the thirtieth of January
In nineteen and seventy two
Thirteen died in Derry City
As they marched for civil rights.
Sharing the protest of thousands
As they left the Bishop’s Field
Marching to their city centre
With only their songs to wield.
But after a preventation
Near the end of William Street
British soldiers brutally fired
Above a maze of running feet.
And in the wake of orders
Thirteen citizens lay dead:
Gilmore, Young, McKinney,
McDaid, Wray, and Donaghy,
McKinney, McElhinney,
Nash and Duddy,
Doherty, McGuigan, and Kelly.
Later, from his wounds,
Johnny Johnstone passed away.
Another innocent victim
Of that bloody, bloody day….
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Your heartfelt words are a tribute to those who only tried to express their freedom of speech, and in the chaos, died trying to express that freedom. May we always remember. Very moving write.