School: Tobar Pádraig (roll number 4764)

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1. The Salts of Clare - The Quilty Fisherman (continued)

   

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   The wives called on the husbands.
   The mothers called the sons.
   To brave the briney ocean with all its roaring guns.
   To venture with the corricles and battle with the fates.
   And help the crew of thirty two, in peril at their gates.
   The storm loud was roaring and echoing through the caves.
   The thick white foam was rolling before the swelling waves.
   The sea and sky were meeting, the clouds were floating dark.
   The spray was jumping sixty feet above high water mark.
   The scene it was most awful. The captain and the crew.
   Were perched upon the rigging, the storm around them blew.
   Two men were seen to take a raft, and trying to make the shore.
   Which made the people on the beach, with pity still to roar.
   Then said the gallant fishermen, 'We've but one life to loose .
   Now for the rescue of these men we'll try with our canoes.
   The noblest place for man to die is where he dies for man.
   Therefore we'll face the raging deep and save them if we can.
   We care not for what flag they float or sentiments they feel.
   We care not for their moral code or altar that they kneel.
   Suffice for us they're human beings Will try what can be done.
   Who knows but in that gallant crew, There's some poor widow's son.
   Out on the work of rescue the gallant Claremen goes.
   The slandered sons of Ireland oppressed by foreign foes.
   They snapped the two men from the raft and brought them to the shore.
   And when official aid arrived, which long was overdue.
   The gallant Quilty heroes had saved the thirty two.
   Let us toast the Quilty fishermen, a credit not alone.
   To the good old Banner County and to Ireland, valour's own.

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Informant

   John Ryan

   Gender

   Male

   Occupations

   Newsagent

   Poet

   Address

   Tobar Phádraig, Co. Luimnigh