School: Guaire (Xtian Bros.) (roll number 12772)

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1. Billy Byrne of Ballymanus

   

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   Billy Byrne of Ballymanus
   Author - Unknown.

   Come all ye brave United Men, I pray you lend an ear,
   And listen to these verses I now will let you hear,
   Concerning Billy Byrne, a man of high renown,
   Who was tried and hanged at Wicklow town, a traitor to the Crown
   It was in the year of ninety-eight, we got reason to complain
   We lost our brave commander, Billy Byrne was his name,
   He was taken to Dublin city and brought to Wicklow Jail
   And though we wished to free him, for him they'd take no bail;
   When he was taken prisoner the lot against him swore
   That he a Captain's title upon Mount Pleasant bore.
   Before the King's grand army his men he did review
   And with a piece of cannon marched on for Carrigrue.
   When the informers they came in
   There was Dixon, Doyle, and Davis and likewise Bid Doolin
   They thought it little scruple his precious blood to spill
   Who never robbed nor murdered nor to any man did ill.
   It would melt your heart with pity how these traitors did explain
   That Byrne worked the cannon on Arklow's bloody plain
   They swore he worked the cannon and headed the pikemen,
   And near the town of Gorey killed three loyal Orangemen.

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Robert Kavanagh

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Arklow, Co. Wicklow

   Informant

   Mr Tyrell

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Arklow, Co. Wicklow