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My ancestors - O'Rahilly - Contents


The song "My Love: The O'Rahilly"


The Cork songwriter Mary Buckley-Clarke wrote a song about The O'Rahilly, "My Love: The O'Rahilly", in 2006.
The song is in the voice of The O'Rahilly's wife, Nancy Brown, mourning his loss in 1916.


Click to play the song "My Love: The O'Rahilly"

Player from here.

Here is the song in various formats:

  • Hi-res WMA (128 k bps) (size 4 M)
  • Lo-res WMA (48 k bps) (size 1.5 M)
  • Lo-res MP3 (size 2.1 M)


Song and lyrics reproduced here with the kind permission of Mary Buckley-Clarke.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
Lyrics by Mary Buckley-Clarke, music by Cliff Wedgbury, sung by Marie O'Neill.
The CD may be purchased from Mary Buckley-Clarke, Cork, (087) 699-5321.


Notes


Lyrics

Fitzgerald called, he woke you.
The day I feared had come.
A loving hug, a final kiss,
Then Michael, you were gone.
I did not think of pleading,
Allegiance made you go,
With mustered guns all loaded
Drove off down Herbert Road.

For who can hold a candle
To patriotism's grip?
Or think of counting time back
When the mainspring starts to slip?
No power on earth could hold you,
Claimed it was your right.
'For you who helped to wind the clock
Must stay to hear it strike'

I recall the days of Asgard,
Your work, the plots and plans.
The downfall of poor Casement,
Another selfless man!
The time not of your making,
The Great War made it right,
Misjudged their time of rising,
Your honour forced the fight.

They tried to spare my grieving.
They brought your tender notes.
Mere whispers of your loving,
Small relics, treasured most.
Bemused by all the torment,
Believed our love supreme,
Small comfort that your paramour,
A country and her dream.

In sleep I saw Slieve Luchra,
Could hear your lilting song.
In tears I woke tormented,
Knew Darling then, you'd gone.
Fatherless our children,
With one as yet unborn.
Heartbroken, I a widow
Grim cost of freedom's dawn!

They saved your dying letter
Scrawled out at your last breath.
Self-styled as "The O'Rahilly"
Blood christened thus at death.
The only one to fall that week.
Had named it 'A Good Fight'
My love, who helped to wind the clock,
Had died to hear it strike

My love, who helped to wind the clock,
Had died to hear it strike




The O'Rahilly's grave



The O'Rahilly's grave, Glasnevin. Photo 2006.
Note the grave simply says: "Ua Rathghaille". No other name.
Lists him as "Commander" of Óglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Volunteers).
See full size and close-up.
Note grave of Harry Boland in background.
Photos courtesy of Richard Humphreys.
After 45 years without him, Nancy was finally buried with her husband in this grave in 1961.





Return to The O'Rahilly.



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