School: Roundwood

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1. A Song (continued)

   “This is a song that was composed by WF Duffy in France during the Great European War where he had not even a sporting chance of seeing the old hills again.”

   

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   III
   They live in contentment though plain be their fare,
   With those in distress ever ready to share
   They leave all to God, He alone is their king
   But should troubles appear: let'em all come they sing
   Of course theres a limit to patience I own
   As victory has proved, and as valour has shown.
   In days of oppresion, blind envy and hate
   You know well the story of dark ninthy-eight.
   VI
   To the hills went our fathers to fight for our land
   Bold Dwyer as a leader, we cherish his stand
   For five years unceasing, till eighteen nought three.
   He harassed unflinching our old enemy
   VI
   Ah; he was a leader, that none could deny.
   But afar from sweet Wicklow, Alas! he did die
   But show me a leader: as true or as great
   In the camouflaged heroes you call up to date
   VII
   A truce being agreed on, of course he ceased fire
   But through year's rolling onwards we still sang of Dwyer
   Till a change in our tactics conditions as well
   Then the man of the moment was Charlie Parnell
   VIII
   But thats an old story well known to you all
   We will pass the sad chapter of Parnells downfall
   But no brighter genius had ever shed ray
   Avondale doth bewail, and we miss him to-day

   (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

   Collector

   Liam Timmons

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Roundwood, Co. Wicklow

   Informant

   Mr W.J. Duffy

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Roundwood, Co. Wicklow