Irish Songs - Lyrics and Music for traditonal drinking, folk and pub songs from Ireland. A collection of traditional Irish song lyrics and chords.

Kelly of Killane

"Tell me who is that giant with the gold curling hair-
He who rides at the head of your band?
Seven feet is his height, with some inches to spare,
And he looks like a king in command!"
"Ah, my lads, that's the pride of the bold Shelmaliers,
'Mong our greatest of heroes, a man!-
Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
For John Kelly, the Boy from Killane!"

Enniscorthy's in flames, and old Wexford is won,
And the Barrow to-morrow we cross!
On a hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
That will batter the gateway of Ross!
All the Forth men and Bargy men march o'er the heath,
With brave Harvey to lead on the van;
But the foremost of all in the grim Gap of Death
Will be Kelly, the Boy from Killane!

But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross,
And it set by the Slaney's red waves;
And poor Wexford, stript naked, hung high on a cross,
And her heart pierced by traitors and slaves!
Glory O! Glory O! to her brave sons who died,
For the cause of long down-trodden men!
Glory O! to mount Leinster's own darling and pride-
Dauntless Kelly, the Boy from Killanne!