The Three O’Donnells
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 158 / 159
As I roved out the morning,
In the merry month of June,
As the sun arose on Lough Swilly’s shores,
And everything in bloom,
On a primrose bank as I sat down,
All by a crystal stream,
So deep, so deep I feel alseep,
And I began to dream.
I dreamt I saw a loaded barge
Going floating down the main,
With four-and-twenty Irish boys,
To guide her on the stream.
It being on her bows stood one young man,
Who soon alarmed me:
“Rise up! Rise up! you troubled mind,
For Gráinne’s sons are free.”
So, it’s when we heard of liberty,
We let ourselves be known.
And were you at that meeting boys
That was held in Inishowen?
For it’s long and long since we were bound,
But now, thank God, we’re free.
And if ever we bound again,
We’ll fight for liberty.
Here’s a health to the three O’Donnells,
They’re credit to the name.
They’re a credit to their country boys,
Both honour, birth and fame.
There were two of them made clergymen
All in the Church of Rome,
Till God himself called one of them
Unto his heavenly home.
Here’s a health to Father William boys,
Who fought at Waterloo.
He fought the French and Spaniards
‘Till he made them to subdue.
He fought them with his army
‘Till he could no longer stand.
He was once a bold lieutenant,
But he’s now our clergyman.