The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76336   Message #1351889
Posted By: GUEST
09-Dec-04 - 08:17 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Looking for Elizabethan Era songs - help
Subject: Lyr Add: FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW
You might try this one from the DT (with some repairs to spellings)

FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW

Lift MacCahir Og your face brooding o'er the old disgrace
That black FitzWilliam stormed your place, and drove you to the Fern
Grey said victory was sure soon the firebrand he'd secure;
Until he met at Glenmalure with Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne.

Ch.: Curse and swear Lord Kildare
Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care
Fallen is your star, low
Up with halbert out with sword
On we'll go for by the lord
Fiach MacHugh has given the word,
Follow me up to Carlow.

See the swords of Glen Immal, flashing o'er the English Pale
See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banner
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners.

From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore
And great is Rory Oge O'More, at sending 'loons to Hades.
White is sick and Grey is fled, now for black FitzWilliam's head
We'll send it over, alldripping red, to Queen Liza and her ladies.

NOTE: The Tune is a fast (!) Irish march.
recorded by Planxty on their first album (1972) and by Noel McLough

In 1580, in the lonely pass of Glenmalure in Co. Wicklow, Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne completely overthrew the forces of the Crown under Lord Grey de Wilton. The victory is commemorated in this stirring song.