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KELLY OF KILLANE

Anno: 1898

Gruppo:

Testo e musica: Patrick Joseph McCall

"What's the news, what's the news, oh my bold Shelmalier
with your long barrelled gun from the sea?
Say what wind from the south blows his messanger here
with a hymn of the dawn fro the free"
"Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth,
goodly news, shall you hear Bargy man!
For the boys march at mom, from the south to the north,
lead by Kelly the boy from Killane"

"Tell me who os the giant with the gold curling hair,
he who rides at the head of your band?
Seven feet is height with some inches to spare
and he looks like a king in command.
Tell me boys, what's the pride of the bold Shelmailers
among our greatest heroes a man!"
"Fling your beavers aloft, and give three ringing cheers
for John Kelly the boy from Killane"

Ennischorty's in flames and old Wexford is won,
and the Barrow tomorrow we'll cross
on a hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
that will batter the gateways to Ross.
All the Forth men the Bargy men march over the heath
with brave Harvey to lean on the van
bat the foremost of all, in the grim gap of death
will be Kelly the boy from Killane.

But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
and it set by the Slaney's red waves
and poor Wexford stript naked hung high on a cross
and her heart pierced by traitors and slaves
Glory O! Glory O! to her brave sons who died
for the cause of long down-trodden men,
Glori O! to Mount Leinster's own darling and pride
dauntless Kelly the boy from Killane.

Note

Ballata tradizionale irlandese scritta da McCall per commemorare il centenario della rivolta del 1798 della contea de Wexford, dove John Kelly, il figlio di un mercante di Killane si coprì di valore compiendo gesta eroiche. Dopo la battaglia di New Ross fu catturato dagli inglesi ed impiccato.