The song tells the story of Roddy McCorley, a young man from County Antrim who led men into battle and was later marched to execution on the bridge of Toome. Written as a stirring nationalist ballad in the late 19th century (often attributed to Ethna Carbery) and set to a memorable air, it endures in Irish repertoires because it personalises the cost of rebellion and keeps alive local memory from the 1798 period.
Oh, see the fleet-foot hosts of men who
speed with faces wan,
From farmstead and from thresher's cot
along the banks of Ban.
They come with vengeance in their eyes;
too late, too late are they,
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on
the bridge of Toome today.
Oh Ireland, Mother Ireland, you love
them still the best,
The fearless brave who fighting fall
upon your hapless breast.
But never a one of all your dead more
bravely fell in fray,
Than he who marches to his fate on the
bridge of Toome today.
Up the narrow street he stepped, so
smiling, proud and young,
About the hemp-rope on his neck, the
golden ringlets clung;
There's ne'er a tear in his blue eyes,
fearless and brave are they,
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on
the bridge of Toome today.
When last this narrow street he trod,
his shining pike in hand,
Behind him marched, in grim array, a ear
nest stalwart band.
To Antrim town! To Antrim town, he led
them to the fray,
But young Roddy McCorley goes to die on
the bridge of Toome today.
The grey coat and its sash of green were
brave and stainless then,
A banner flashed beneath the sun over
the marching men;
The coat hath many a rent this noon, the
sash is torn away,
And Roddy McCorley goes to die on the
bridge of Toome today.
Oh, how his pike flashed in the sun!
Then found a foeman's heart,
Through furious fight, and heavy odds he
bore a true man's part.
And many a red-coat bit the dust before
his keen pike-play,
But Roddy McCorley goes to die on the
bridge of Toome today.
There's never a one of all your dead
more bravely died in fray
Than he who marches to his fate in Toome
bridge town today;
True to the last! True to the last, he
treads the upwards way,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on
the bridge of Toome today.
You can pick up "Roddy Mc Corley" on Buy Irish Drinking Songs on Apple Music.
For more like this, browse the rest of Music Of Paddies Land.
Comments
Post a Comment