School: Gort an Iubhair

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1. Ballads - Emigration (continued)

   

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   It was early the next morning, just by the break of day
   One hundred strong we marched along without either stop or stay
   Each man had a blackthorn stick he brought from Paddy's land
   And a hook that shone like polished steel or silver, on his hand
   __________________
   For three long days we tramped away high wages for to find
   And on the following evening we got on the railway line
   Some navvies they walked up to us and loudly they did rail
   They cursed and damned the Paddies and the sons of Granuaile
   __________________
   Then up stepped Barney Rielly and says "what do you mean"?
   Sure don't we work as well as you and well we have the name
   So leave our way without delay or some of you shall fall
   For here stands the sons of Irishmen who never feared a brawl"!
   __________________
   It's those navvies cursed and swore they'd kill us everyone
   Make us remember "98" Ballinamuck and Slieve na mBán
   Brave Fr. Murphy just and true they cursed his holy name;
   Which caused our Irish tempers to bust into a flame
   __________________
   Then up stepped Barney Rielly and knocked the ganger down
   It's then stones and bricks they came in showers from all around
   We fought from half-past four until the sun was going to set
   Till Rielly cries "my Irish boys, I fear we will be bet"
   __________________
   "But come with me my countrymen renew the fight once more"
   We saw the foes from every side more desperate than before

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mrs Coleman

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   87

   Address

   Hawksford, Co. Roscommon