School: Gort an Iubhair
- Location:
- Gortanure, Co. Roscommon
- Teacher: Donncha Ó Fiachra
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- XML School: Gort an Iubhair
- XML Page 101
- XML “Ballads - Emigration”
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- (continued from previous page)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
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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
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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"!
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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
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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"
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"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)- Informant
- Mrs Coleman
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 87
- Address
- Hawksford, Co. Roscommon