School: Loch Measca

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1. Local Ballad - Brave Michael O'Brien (R.I.P.) (continued)

   

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   But many a comrade's vigil had failed their hellish plans.
   V
   His metal was first tested at the battle if Portroyal.
   Where the "Flying Column" wanted to reverse the English smile,
   he foe he soon was sighted and the battle began.
   Then one volley from our gunners and the fight was fought and won.
   Vl
   But our Tourmakeady conquest it was a grand surprise -
   Six hundred British Tommies against thirty of our boys.
   The Irish blazed into their ranks and many a foe went down
   And O'Brien was there to do and dare, against the English crown.
   Vll
   And when the fight was fiercest he crept across the plain.
   To aid his dearest comrade, whi was wounded and in pain.
   "Hands up", cried England's officer, but he proudly answered "No,"
   And he fell for Irish freedom as he faced the ancient foe.
   Vlll
   But when into their hands he fell they did like brutes behave,
   and true to their tradition they pursued him to the grave.
   They marred his Christian burial, his career they did impeach,
   But his heroic soul, unconquered, shone out beyond their reach.
   lX
   And now, you friends and comrades, and all who held him dear, As we loved him during lofe, let us not forget him in prayer -
   To raise our hearts for Michael O'Brien, that God in Heaven above

   (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

   Mary Kate Casey

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Creevagh Middle, Co. Mayo

   Informant

   James Burke

   Relation

   Unknown

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   50

   Address

   Kildun More, Co. Mayo