A Wee Bit of Irish History

O’Donnell Abu is probably the best known and most popular O’Donnell song. The tune was composed in the early part of the 19th century by a man from Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. His name was Joseph Haliday and he was bandmaster of the Cavan Militia. He died in Dublin in 1846, aged 71 years.

Michael McCann, a young Galway man, added words to the music. The composition first appeared in ‘The Nation’ of January, 1843 and was then called ‘The Clan Connell War Song’. McCann, afterwards emigrated to America but later returned to England. At the time of his death in 1883 he was a shopkeeper in London. A celtic cross marks his grave in St. Patrick’s Catholic cemetery.

Years later Seosamh Mac Grianna, Rann-na-Feirsde, did the Irish translation.

O’DONNELL ABU

1.

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 in Saimear’s green vale.
On, ev’ry mountaineer,
Strangers to fight and fear;
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh!
Bonnaught and Gallowglass,
Throng from each mountain pass;
On for old Erin, “O’Donnell Abu!”

2.

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 the borders 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,
Tír Chonaill’s dread war-cry, “O’Donnell Abu!”

3.

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 –
All, all who would scare them are banished or slain!
Grasp every stalwart hand
Hackbut and battle brand –
Pay them all back the debt so long due;
Norris and Clifford well
Can of Tirconnell tell;
Onward to glory – “O’Donnell Abu!”

4.

Sacred the cause that Clan Connell’s defending –
The altars we kneel at and 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 old fight again,
Sons of Tirconnell,
All valiant and true:
Make the false Saxon feel
Erin’s avenging steel
Strike for your country! – “O’Donnell Abu!”