O'Donnell Abú lyrics

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 Saimear's green vale.

On, ev'ry mountaineer,

Strangers to flight or fear,

Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh.

Bonnaught and Gallowglass,

Throng from each mountain pass.

On for old Erin, "O'Donnell Abú!"

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 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 ears shall ring,

Borne on the breeze's wing,

Tír Chonaill's dread war-cry, "O'Donnell Abú!"

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 who would scare them are banished or slain!

Grasp ev'ry 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 abú!"

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 proud Saxon feel

Erin's avenging steel!

Strike for your country! "O'Donnell Abú!"