Lyrics O’Donnell Abu - The Davitts

O’Donnell Abu

Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale
Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding
To join the thick squadrons on Saimer’s green vale
On every mountaineer strangers to flight or fear
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh
Bonnaught and Gallow glass throng from each mountain pass
«Onward for Erin O’Donnell Abu!»
Princely O’Neill to our aid is advancing
With many a chieftain and warrior clan
A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing
‘Neath borderers brave from the Banks of the Bann
Many a heart shall quail under its coat of mail
Deeply the merciless foeman shall rue
When on his ear shall ring borne on the breeze’s wing
Tir Connell’s dread war cry «O'Donnell Abu!»
Wildly o’er Desmond the war wolf is howling
Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain
The fox in the streets of the city is prowling
And all who would conquer them are banished or slain
Grasp every stalwart hand, hackbut and battle-brand
Pay them all back the deep debt so long due
Norris and Clifford well can of Tir Connell tell
«Onward to glory, O’Donnell Abu!»
Sacred the cause that Clan Connell’s defending
The alters we kneel at, the homes of our sires
Ruthless the ruin the foe is extending
Midnight is red with the plunderer’s fires
On with O’Donnell then, fight the goodfight again
Sons of Tir Connell are valiant and true
Make the false Saxon feel Erin’s avenging steel
«Strike for your country, O’Donnell Abu!»