School: Cillín (Portomna)

Location:
Killeen South, Co. Galway
Teacher:
Seosamh Ó Dúnadhaighe
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0053, Page 0142

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0053, Page 0142

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  1. XML School: Cillín (Portomna)
  2. XML Page 0142
  3. XML “The Patriot Mother”

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  1. I
    Come, tell us the name of the rebelly crew.
    Who lifted the pike on the Curragh with you;
    Come, tell us the treason, and then you'll be free
    Or right quickly you'll swing on the high gallows tree.
    A leanbh! A leanbh! the shadow of shame has never yet fallen on one of your name;
    And oh! may the food from my bosom you drew.
    In your veins turn to poison, if you turn untrue.
    II
    The foul words - oh! let them not blacken your tongue,
    That would prove to your friends and your country a wrong.
    Or the curse of a mother so bitter and dread.
    With the wrath of the Lord - may they fall on your head!
    I have no one but you in the whole world wide.
    Yet false to your pledge you'd ne'er stand at my side:
    If a traitor you lived, you'd be father away.
    From my hearth than if true, you were wrapped in the clay.
    III
    Oh! deeper and darker the mourning would be,
    For your falsehood so base, than your death proud and free.
    Dearer, for dearer than ever to me.
    My darling you'll be on the brave gallows tree,
    Tis holy, a gradh, from the bravest (gallon) and best,
    Go ! go! from my heart, and be join'd with the rest.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. genre
      1. poetry
        1. folk poetry (~9,504)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Seán Nevin
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Loughaunroe East, Co. Galway
    Informant
    Miss Nora Nevin
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    c. 62
    Address
    Loughaunroe East, Co. Galway