LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon

Subject: LyrAdd+Questions: THE MEN OF ROSCOMMON
From: MudGuard
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 03:49 PM

Does anyone know the correct words (place names) for the red parts of the lyrics?
TIA
MudGuard

THE MEN OF ROSCOMMON

Bring me a man whose voice proudly raises
Tales and the glories that only you knew
Where are the songs that ring with your praises
Lovely Roscommon will sing them anew.

And free Roscommon,
Think of your ancient clan
Gather around us to sing my name
Shout, let old Erin hear
Proudly that they might hear
Men of Roscommon are marching again

Wiletho, Rathcroghan, the Mainflower is blooming
While though at Croghan the mayflower is blooming
There long ago was the palace of Mave
High on the mound where the foeman was looming
Stood men of 'common so loyal and brave.

Shouting their battle cry
Willing to fight or die
Forward to victory down to the planes
Joy with them as they go
So that the world will know
Men of Roscommon are marching again

Falbed and Roosty, Boyle and Dundonald
Swalkstown and Frenchpark, Alfin, Castlerea
Tellthem and old Ballyclare on the Shannon
Men of Roscommon are gathering today

Raise up the standards high
Wave banners to the sky
Follow them onward to sunshine and rain
And with a mighty roar
Let Erin know once more
Men of Roscommon are marching again

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: Brakn
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 05:01 PM

These might be right??

Maeve
Fuerty?
Roosky
Strokestown
Elphin


Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 06:57 PM

Ha! Came across a little booklet called "An Album of Roscommon Verse" lately. I copied the index and one interesting looking song (about a Roscommon man killed in the Korean war). Anyway, "Men of Roscommon" is on that index - so now I'll have to have another look!

Regards

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 13 May 10 - 05:12 AM

Mick Bracken's guesses at the names are all reasonable - leaving only Dundonald and Tellthem to puzzle over.

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 May 10 - 03:52 PM

Dundonnell?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MEN OF ROSCOMMON
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 11:43 AM

You can hear this song at YouTube, accompanying a video of Gaelic football scenes. The singer is unidentified. It sounds like a professional recording and is fairly clear. I have listened to the recording, and have boldfaced a few words that are different from the version posted above. Also, I have tried to look up all the place names, and have corrected a few. I have converted them all to links so you can check my sources.


THE MEN OF ROSCOMMON

Bring me a man whose voice proudly raises
Tales and the glories that only you knew.
Where are the songs that ring with your praises?
Lovely Roscommon will sing them anew.

Every Roscommon man,
Think of your ancient clan.
Gather around us to sing thy name.
Shout; let old Erin hear
Proudly that they might hear
Men of Roscommon are marching again.

While though at Croghan the mayflower is blooming,
There long ago was the palace of Maeve.
High on the mound where the foeman was looming
Stood men of 'common so loyal and brave.

Shouting their battle cry,
Willing to fight or die,
Forward to victory down to the plains.
Joy with them as they go,
So that the world may know
Men of Roscommon are marching again.

Farnbeg and Roosky, Boyle and Dundonnell,
Strokestown and Frenchpark, Elphin, Castlereagh,
Tell them at old Ballyclare on the Shannon
Men of Roscommon are gathering today.

Raise up the standards high.
Wave banners to the sky.
Follow them onward to sunshine and rain.
And with a mighty roar,
Let Erin know once more
Men of Roscommon are marching again.

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 11:52 AM

Thanks for that, Jim. Looks like I never did go back to that "Album of Roscommon Verse" which, IIRC, is in the Irish Traditional Music Archive.

Regards

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: GUEST,Derek in Roscommon
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 02:19 AM

Hi, I'm from Roscommon, and can help here. Following on from Jim Dixon Jan 2012. Croghan is correct, it's short for rathcroghan,the famous seat of the mythical ancient queen Maeve, now in tulsk.
What I'm gonna do to dig up this record, and play it. I have an old 45 single of it at home. Can then help identify place names etc.

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 04:19 AM

Melody, anyone?

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 01:25 AM

HI Seamus,

Jim Dixon has posted a link to a Youtube video above. Singer is the well known Paddy Reilly. I don't recognise the tune, offhand.

Regards

Subject: RE: LyrAdd+Questions: Men Of Roscommon
From: GUEST,Derek in Roscommon
Date: 31 Jul 15 - 10:26 AM

The song was brought out in 1980, in advance of Roscommon's bid for All-Ireland football glory ahead of the Senior Gaelic Football Final against Kerry. My parents went to the match, left me at home. Haven't forgiven them! Though we did lose..