Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland.
Telephone : 053 9237596 / 7
Email :
info@1798centre.ie
Ballads
and Poems of 1798
The 1798 rebellion has inspired many of our
most popular ballads and songs. Many of the best known ballads about the events of
1798 were not written until the second half of the 19th century.
Among the most famous of these are "At Boolavogue" and "Kelly
from Killanne" composed by P. J. McCall.
|
|
"At
Boolavogue" |
 |
At Boolavogue as the sun was
setting
O’er the bright May meadows of Shelmalier,
A rebel hand set the heather blazing
And brought the neighbours from far and near. |
We took Camolin and
Enniscorthy,
And Wexford storming drove out our foes;
‘Twas at Sliabh Coillte our pikes were
reeking with crimson stream of the beaten Yeos. |
Then Father Murphy,
from old Kilcormack,
Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry,
"Arm, Arm!" he cried, "for I’ve come to lead you,
For Ireland’s freedom we’ll fight or die." |
At Tubberneering
and Ballyellis
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore,
Ah, Father Murphy, had aid come over
The green flag floated from shore to shore! |
He led us on
’gainst the coming soldiers,
And the cowardly Yeomen we put to flight;
’Twas at the Harrow the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookey’s regiment how men could fight. |
At Vinegar Hill,
o’er the pleasant Slaney,
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,
And the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack. |
Look out for
hirelings, King George of England,
Search every kingdom where breathes a slave.
For Father Murphy from the County Wexford
Sweeps o’er the land like a mighty wave |
God grant you
glory, brave Father Murphy,
And open heaven to all your men;
The cause that called you may call to-morrow
In another fight for the Green again. |
|
|
|
