School: An Clochar, Béal an Átha Móir (roll number 13614)

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1. Daring Dermott Dhunn - Breffni's Last Rapparee (continued)

   

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   He drew the hilllman's dagger then and Elliott he laid low,

   "I'd like" he said "to meet some more I'm fond of Erin's foe."

   While fell the Red-Priest-hunters there the women on the brae
   
   Saw Dermot Dhunn the Rapparee spring up and clear away.

   
   (XII)

   He made for Aughrim district then where he had loyal friends,

   Who often helped him in the past the Sagarts to defend;

   Next night above near Patrick's Well he told the awful tale,

   And old men blessed brave Dermot Dhunn "defender of the Gael."

   
   (XIII)

   God rest your soul! famed Dermott Dhunn but few are like you now

   Alas! to-day we've Irishmen who to our foes "kow-tow."

   But thank the Lord who gave us you and all your gallant band,

   'Twas men like you "Astore mo Chroidhe" who saved our native land.

   
   (XIV)

   You saved the Gaels; you saved our priest; you chose the heatherbed,

   You made the cruel Bodagh quake and England's hounds in Red;

   You kept on high our nations flag, and handed that flag on,

   Till Rebel men raised it again on the slopes of Slievenamon.

   
   (XV)

   Young Gaels of Erin "gra macree" stand up and vow today,

   That Erin's Faith and Erin's rights you'll never give away,

   That true you'll be to Innisfail like Erin's brave now gone,

   O'Dwyer famed O'Hanlon and fearless Dermot Dhunn.

   

   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 Rita Darcy

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Drumrackan, Co. Leitrim