TOM CREAN OF ANNASCAUL
(Ballad for an unsung hero)

Air: The Felons of Our Land

'Tis of an unsung hero I mean to tell you now
A native son of Ireland and if time will me allow
Of this lion-hearted Kerryman, whose life I will recall
I'll sing his fame, his deeds proclaim – Tom Crean of Annascaul

In eighteen seventy-seven, a farmer's son saw light
When he was young, the Gaelic tongue to speak was his delight
He was one of ten, in that mountain glen, when the seas loud roar did call
Carefree and brave, on the ocean wave went Crean of Annascaul

On board the Ringarooma for New Zealand he set sail
As an able-bodied seaman in the teeth of wind and gale
He was soon on board Discovery, with Captain Scott installed
On the high seas to Antarctica – Tom Crean of Annascaul

In that frozen land for three long years he faithfully did serve
Until at last he sailed back home, on shore leave well deserved
In nineteen ten going back again, once more to give his all
His burning goal – to reach the Pole – Tom Crean of Annascaul

On that fateful final journey when Scott said turn back
With Lashly and with Evans he headed for the shack
It broke his heart, thus to depart and down the tears did fall
For his captain he would ne'er more see – Tom Crean of Annascaul

In that awful trek to Hut Point when the cold cut to the bone
Evans ill, lay stiff and still, while Tom marched on alone
For fifty-six kilometres in knee-deep snow he crawled
And saved his brave companions did Tom Crean of Annascaul

Who can forget that epic voyage made in an open boat
With Worsley and with Shackleton – 'twas God kept them afloat
Eight hundred miles of ocean before they made landfall
To rescue gallant comrades, led by Crean of Annascaul

On three Polar expeditions to the South Pole he did go
No braver seen than him I ween, in that land of ice and snow
Fearless loyal and resolute like a ramrod he stood tall
With fiery zeal and nerves of steel, Tom Crean of Annascaul

They showered him with honours as they recognised his fame
While a mountain and a glacier will forever bear his name
In a tomb in Ballinacourty he awaits the final call
From his long sleep in the Kerry hills – Tom Crean of Annascaul.

Copyright: Written by Gary McMahon of Newcastle West.


I give the above as Gary sent it to me. As I learn it, I find I'm using one of the tunes for The Flying Cloud and changing a word here and there. The tune is very like that used by Gary - and I like the association!

Regards