Follow Me Up to Carlow ---  P. J. McCall

 Note: On 25 August 1580, in the lonely pass of Glen Malure in County Wicklow, Irish forces led by Fiach MacHugh O’Byrne completely overthrew the forces of the English Crown under the command of Lord Grey de Wilton. This song commemorates that victory.

[Am]Lift, MacCahir Og, your face – broodin’ o’er the [G]old disgrace
That [Am]Black FitzWilliam stormed your place and drove you [G]to the [Am]fern.
Grey said victory was sure; soon the firebrand [G]he’d secure ---
Un-[Am]til he met at Glen Malure with Fiach Mac[G]Hugh O’[Am]Byrne.
 

[chorus] [Em]Curse and swear, Lord Kildare.
              [G]Fiach will do what Fiach will dare.
              [Em]Now FitzWilliam have a care.
              [G]Fallen is your [Am]star low.
              [Em]Up with halberd, out with sword,
              [G]On we’ll go for by the Lord.
              [Em]Fiach MacHugh has given the word.
              [G]Follow me up to [Am]Carlow!
 

[Am]See the swords of Glen Imael, flashing o’er the [G]English Pale.
See [Am]all the children of the Gael beneath O’[G]Byrne’s [Am]banners.
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a [G]Saxon cock
Crow [Am]out upon an Irish rock? Fly up and [G]teach him [Am]manners!

            [chorus]

[Am]From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of [G]Saxon gore
Och! [Am]Great is Rory Og O’Moore at sendin’ [G]loons to [Am]Hades.
White is sick and Grey has fled. Now for Black Fitz[G]William’s head.
We’ll [Am]send it over drippin’ red, to Liza [G]and her [Am]Ladies!
 

[chorus] [Em]Curse and swear, Lord Kildare.
              [G]Fiach will do what Fiach will dare.
              [Em]Now FitzWilliam have a care.
              [G]Fallen is your [Am]star low.
              [Em]Up with halberd, out with sword,
              [G]On we’ll go for by the Lord.
              [Em]Fiach MacHugh has given the word.
              [G]Follow me up to [Am]Carlow!

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