O'Donnell Abu
"O'Donnell Abu" is a traditional Irish song. Its lyrics were written by Michael Joseph McCann in 1843. It refers to the Gaelic lord Red Hugh O'Donnell who ruled Tyrconnell in the late sixteenth century first with the approval of the Crown authorities in Dublin and later in rebellion against them during Tyrone's Rebellion.[1] The title refers to the Gaelic war cry of "Abu," "To victory," which followed a commander's name.
Style
Stylistically the song draws on the romantic nationalism of the mid-nineteenth century, similar to those of McCann's contemporary Thomas Davis.
Legacy
In the 1930s it was adopted as the anthem of the Irish Blueshirts. In the 1960s the song was recorded by the Irish folk group Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers.
Lyrics
Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding;
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale;
Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding,
To join the thick squadrons on Saimear's green vale.
On, ev'ry mountaineer,
Strangers to flight or fear,
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh.
Bonnaught and Gallowglass,
Throng from each mountain pass.
On for old Erin, "O'Donnell Abu!"
Princely O'Neill to our aid is advancing
With many a chieftain and warrior clan.
A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing
'Neath the borders brave from the Banks of the Bann:
Many a heart shall quail
Under its coat of mail.
Deeply the merciless foeman shall rue
When on his ears shall ring,
Borne on the breeze's wing,
Tir Chonnaill's dread war-cry, "O'Donnell Abu!"
Wildly o'er Desmond the war-wolf is howling;
Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain;
The fox in the streets of the city is prowling--
All, all who would scare them are banished or slain!
Grasp ev'ry stalwart hand
Hackbut and battle brand--
Pay them all back the debt so long due;
Norris and Clifford well
Can of Tirconnell tell;
Onward to glory--"O'Donnell abu!"
Sacred the cause that Clan Connell's defending--
The altars we kneel at and homes of our sires;
Ruthless the ruin the foe is extending--
Midnight is red with the plunderer's fires.
On with O'Donnell then,
Fight the old fight again,
Sons of Tirconnell,
All valiant and true:
Make the proud Saxon feel
Erin's avenging steel!
Strike for your country! "O'Donnell Abu!"[1]
- ^ O'Donnell Abu on http://homepage.eircom.net/~vod/songs.html .
See also
References
- ↑ Ronayne p. 73
Bibliography
- Liam Ronayne. Donegal Highlands: Paintings and Stories from Northwest Donegal. Dundurn, 1998.
External links
- The Meaning of “O’Donnell Abú" at Irish American News Ohio