Lyr Req: Woods of Drumboe / Woods of Drumbo

Subject: Woods of Drumboe
From: GUEST,Denice
Date: 01 May 00 - 01:07 PM

Looking for lyrics to ballad of Woods of Drumboe. Have the song, but want to clarify some phrases. Irish rebel ballads.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Woods of Drumboe
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 01 May 00 - 01:34 PM

I'd be extremely careful of the company in which you sing this song. My mother-in-law is from that area of Donegal in which the incident referred to took place and emotions still run very high. I, myself, even though known in the district, would not sing it under any circumstances. It's a case of the outsider following the old adage "whatever you say, say nothing !" Annraoi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Woods of Drumboe
From: GUEST,Denice
Date: 01 May 00 - 03:33 PM

Thank you for the information. I understand the sensitivity. It's a beautiful melody and poignant history. I would like to understand more about this incident.

Subject: Lyr Add: WOODS OF DRUMBO / WOODS OF DRUMBOE
From: GUEST,Frank Harte
Date: 01 May 00 - 08:37 PM

WOODS OF DRUMBO

'Twas the eve of Saint Patrick at the dawn of the day,
The hills of Tyrconnell lay slumbering and grey,
The first light of morning illumined the sky,
As four Irish heroes were led forth to die.

They were Enright, O'Sullivan and Dawley by name,
From the counties of Cork and from Kerry they came,
While the gallant Sean Larkin from the banks of the Roe,
Completes the four martyrs shot dead at Drumbo,

These republican soldiers were dragged from their cells,
For months they had suffered the torments of hell,
No mercy they asked from their merciless foe,
And no mercy was shown by the thugs at Drumbo.

Three left their loved homesteads in Kerry's green vale,
And one came from Derry to fight for the Gael,
But instead of true friends they met traitor and foe,
And uncoffined were laid in the woods of Drumbo.

The church bells rang out in the cool morning air,
To summon the faithful to penance and prayer,
When a shot from the wild wood brought terror and woe,
'Twas the death knell of Dawley shot dead in Drumbo.

Let Tyrconnell ne'er boast of her honour and fame,
All the waters of Finn will not wash out the stain,
While the Foyle and the Swilly continue to flow,
That stain will remain on the woods of Drumbo.


During the Irish Civil War 1921-1923. Four men of a republican flying column, Enright, O'Sullivan, Dawley and Sean Larkin from Derry, were shot dead by the Free Staters near Stranolar in Donegal.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Woods of Drumboe
From: GUEST,Denice
Date: 02 May 00 - 01:23 PM

Thank you for the clarification. The version I have has a bit of variation on some of the phrases. I appreciate being able to understand it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Woods of Drumboe / Woods of Drumbo
From: Felipa
Date: 12 Mar 23 - 07:02 PM

see also https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=30464/"Tune Req: The Woods Of Drumbo"

The Woods Of Drumboe (also known as The Drumboe Martyrs) is thought to have been written by Michael McGinley (1852 – 1940).

recording, sung by Ray McAreavy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TvjBLwSuWI

Subject: Lyr Add: Ballad of Sean Larkin, Drumboe Martyr
From: Felipa
Date: 12 Mar 23 - 07:11 PM

for the harrowing history of these executions, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executions_during_the_Irish_Civil_War

another lyric
THE BALLAD OF SEAN LARKIN, aka DRUMBOE MARTYR

My name is Sean Larkin, a rebel am I
In this cold dreary castle, a prisoner I lie
At the dawn of tomorrow, with my comrades I'll go
Oh, for death is my sentence tonight in Drumboe

So farewell Ballinderry, Bellagherty too
And sweet Ballylifford that in childhood I knew
When the seeds we have planted have blossomed and grown
Just remember Sean Larkin and lonely Drumboe

A patriot mother in Derry for me
And I learned Ireland's history on a fond father's knee
I went with my brother to fight Ireland's foe
For it's little I fought I would die at Drumboe

We fought the good fight then with fervor and fame
'Til an inglorious treaty of surrender and shame
Turned kit against kin and brought sorrow and woe
And it left me a prisoner tonight in Drumboe

So farewell Ballinderry, Bellagherty too
And sweet Ballylifford that in childhood I knew
When the seeds we have planted have blossomed and grown
Just remember Sean Larkin and lonely Drumboe

So it's Jimmy O'Sullivan down in right tonight
And the brave Charlie Daily tomorrow must die
And the life blood of Derry and Kerry will flow
To mingle in union on the sod of Drumboe

So goodbye, darling mother, the prince is at hand
I leave out the token, the small silver band
How I wish I could spare you the sad little blow
For it sorely it grieves me tonight in Drumboe

So farewell Ballinderry, Bellagherty too
And sweet Ballylifford that in childhood I knew
When the seeds we have planted have blossomed and grown
Just remember Sean Larkin and lonely Drumboe
Just remember Sean Larkin and lonely Drumboe

---- recorded by "The Irish Brigade"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq3OsDZU2N4

Subject: Lyt Add: the Castle of Drumboe
From: Felipa
Date: 12 Mar 23 - 07:17 PM

THE CASTLE OF DRUMBOE

The midnight hags are shrieking 'round, the castle of Drumboe
While patriot blood is flowing red, in the sodden soil below
Their crime that they had left their home, for to fight a foreign foe
And by Irish hands they were murdered in, the caste of Drumboe

From Cork and Kerry homes they came, from Munster green and fair
To fight the bloodstained Black and Tans, and to dare what men may dare
Black treachery betrayed them, then informers rot their woe
Ireland you have murdered them, in the castle of Drumboe

You have sold the past for England’s gold, sold many the pass and gorge
You have cringed to Orange Carson, and you've knelt to English George
Even borrowed English armoury, your country to overthrow
And you murdered Ireland's fighting men, in the castle of Drumboe

recordings currently on youtube:
sung by Dominic Behan
sung by Fee McGorman