School: Baile na Mín (roll number 14925)

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1. A Local Song (continued)

   “On the twentieth of February - that day of renown ¶ 'Twas a bold Sinn Féin party left Ballinameen town...”

   

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   On the twentieth of February - that day of renown
   ‘Twas a bold Sinn Féin party left Ballinameen town
   They paraded the village – to Corroy each one goes
   ‘Twas there they were met by their deadly dark foes –

   2
   For the police were there, boys, some four-score, or more,
   Such a sight around Oldtown was ne’er seen before:
   With rifles, with bayonets, and caps lined with steel,
   And a County Inspector with a spur on each heel.3

   3
   Said ned Higgins to the county – “You’ll have to retreat
   As I want for my children some food they can eat;
   For the stuff that is crossing the Herring-Pond now
   Isn’t food for a donkey; a dog; or a sow –

   4
   And more over, I tell you, I cannot afford
   To keep your hands in your pockets – you dressed like a lord;
   If you don’t allow me this land to take and to till
   O! Heaven won’t have you, and Hell surely will.”

   5
   Then out spoke Joe Coen, boys, the Head of the Band,
   He addressed them in language both Glorious and Grand,
   Saying, “Go home for to-day boys, and the next day we come
   We won’t have a banner, a fife, or a drum.”

   6
   But in spite of his efforts they entered the land
   Led on by Ned Higgins with a spade in his hand;
   But the police soon entered and chased them away,
   And Mick Durr is not well of the fright to this day.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Thomas O' Connor

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Principal