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Lyr Req: Harp or Lion? (Brian na Banba)

18 Jul 06 - 09:32 PM (#1786810)
Subject: Lyr Req: Is there a song called 'the harp&lion'
From: GUEST,gerald fitzgibbon

i hear a snatch of what seemed like a great song, and can't track it down at all....

here are some of the lyrics:
Say there did you hear the news/wondrous news i heard today
Ireland's love of Liberty/they say tis gone and past away
Irishmen have all grown wiser/now they'll heed the bad advisor
they despise their country's story/all they love is England's glory"

or something like that.....

had anyone got any ideas?


18 Jul 06 - 10:05 PM (#1786828)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Is there a song called 'the harp&lion'
From: GUEST,guest J.P/

Gerald,

I will have to look through my books to be sure but I do know there is a song that contains the words


"There is a Harp without a crown And the shamrock Of Ireland in Between.



I don't think the "Lion" is mentioned but I could be wrong ????


18 Jul 06 - 10:07 PM (#1786831)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Is there a song called 'the harp&lion'
From: GUEST,guset J.P.

Sorry about that , it should read



"There is a Harp without a crown
With a wolfhound lying down

16 Feb 10 - 11:01 PM (#2841594)
Subject: Lyr Add: HARP OR LION? (Brian na Banba)
From: Jim Dixon

From Doing My Bit for Ireland by Margaret Skinnider (New York: The Century Co., 1917), page 226:


"Here is another satirical song, very popular just before and during the rising. The man who sung it, called Brian na Banba, was deported by the English after the rising:"

HARP OR LION?

1. Neighbors, list and hear from me
The wondrous news I've read to-day,
Ireland's love of liberty
'Tis said is dead and passed away;
Irish men have all grown wiser,
Now they'll heed no ill adviser,
They despise their country's story,
All they love is England's glory—
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
All they love is England's glory,
Ha, ha, ha!

2. Now we all must grieve to know
The deep offense our fathers gave,
Meeting men with thrust and blow
That came to rob them and enslave;
We should blush for their ill-doing,
Give their errors no renewing,
And, unlike those old transgressors,
Never hurt our isle's oppressors—
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Never hurt our isle's oppressors,
Ha, ha, ha!

3. Only think of Hugh O'Neill,
Thundering down in furious style,
To assail with lead and steel
The rovers from our sister isle;
Chiefs and clans in all directions
With their far and near connections,
Warriors bold and swift uprisers,
Rushing on their civilizers—
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
On their gracious civilizers,
Ha, ha, ha!

4. Surely, friends, the chance is great
We'll cast a cloud on Emmet's fame,
Scoff at Tone and '98,
And scorn Lord Edward's honored name;
Then, in quite a loyal manner,
Clip and dye our old green banner,
And, where hangs the harp of Brian,
Place the mangy British lion—
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
Place the mangy British lion,
Ha, ha, ha!

5. Surely, friends, it seems to me,
England's self ere now should know,
These are things she'll never see,
Let Ireland's star be high or low;
That's the truth, whoe'er denies it,
Scouts it, flouts it, or decries it,
Aids to spread a vile invention,
Drawn from—where I will not mention!
Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
From the place 'tis wrong to mention,
Ha, ha, ha!


17 Feb 10 - 02:38 AM (#2841640)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Harp or Lion? (Brian na Banba?)
From: MartinRyan

"Brian na Banban" was Brian O'Higgins, poet and sometime Chief of Staff of the IRA, IIRC.

Regards


17 Feb 10 - 02:48 AM (#2841643)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Harp or Lion? (Brian na Banba?)
From: MartinRyan

In fact, i'm not so sure about his rank in the post Civil War IRA. I'll check.

Regards