Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, the gallant hardy clan
Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley dam.

The town of Belfast was growing so fast,
And something would have to be done
You couldn’t rely on the water supply at the height of the summer sun
So a plan it was laid for a dam to be made by the banks of the river Kilkeel
And Lord Carson it was who cut the first sod in nineteen twenty three.

So here’s to the men, the Mourne men, the gallant hardy clan
Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley dam.

It wasn’t long ‘till Annalong was a noisy jam
With shipments of equipment and material for the Silent Valley Dam
And to transport them from the port, a railway line did leave
To run through Moneydarragh up to Bignian and Moonlieve.

So here’s to the men, the Mourne men, the gallant hardy clan
Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley dam.

In the dark of the night the flickering lights cam winding up the Brae
From round Kilcoo, Rathfriland too before the break of day
The boys of Ballymartin, Attical and Ballyvea
From Leestone and the Longstone, fit and ready for the fray.

So here’s to the men, the Mourne men, the gallant hardy clan
Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley dam.

The work was rough and times were tough as you may understand
And eight good men they met their end while working on the dam
But now the breezes sing their peace across this lovely land
To praise the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley Dam.

So here’s to the men, the Mourne men, the gallant hardy clan
Here’s to the men, the Mourne men, who built the Valley dam.