another transcription from the South Roscommon Singers' CD. Corrections are invited. The only place I have found on the web called Carrig Rua is in Donegal, however the song's location rather seems to be Co. Wexford. I do not have a detailed map of that region, so many of the place names are bound to be wrong.Wolfgang
CARRIG RUA
You may sing your fine songs and stories tell
of places and scenes that you all know well
but I tell you now of this hill I do know
it's called Carrig Rua where the wild flowers grow.
It is often I have walked it and looked all 'round
at places where history is still to be found.
I look towards the west and I see Ferns(?) town
where the old church and abbey there (??ruin I kneel/ runes any??) down.
I look in amazement at MacMurrough's domain
with his castle still standing where his blood once did stain
as I look down on the harrow where brave men did abide
it was there that the yeomen in '98 died.
I can see old (Aboe?) and the bold shelmalier
(where Father) (?)(well saw the) John Murphy with his life once held here,
where Oliver Cromwell his forces did ban
for they murdered and plundered and ravished our land.
And now as I sit here on this hill for to rest
I can hear the small birds sing in the trees as they nest.
Such a peace and contentment is now to be found,
may those men who achieved ti in heaven be proud (?).