O’Donnell Abu - The Davitts

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!»