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Boolavogue Lyrics

The High Kings

Music Video

Boolavogue

At Boolavogue as the sun was setting
O'er the bright May meadows of Shelmalier,
A rebel hand set the heather blazing
And brought the neighbours from far and near.

Then Father Murphy from old Kilcormack
Spurred up the r

ocks with a warning cry:
'Arm! Arm!' he cried, 'For I've come to lead you;
For Ireland's freedom we'll fight or die!'

He led us on against the coming soldiers,
And the cowardly yeomen we put to flight:
'Twas at the Harrow the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookey's regiment how men could fight.

Look out for hirelings, King George of England;
Search every kingdom where breathes a slave,
For Father Murphy of County Wexford
Sweeps o'er the land like a mighty wave.

We took Camolin and Enniscorthy
And Wexford storming drove out our foes
'Twas at Slieve Coilte our pikes were reeking
With the crimson blood of the beaten Yeos.

At Tubberneering and Ballyellis
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore,
Ah! Father Murphy had aid come over
The green flag floated from shore to shore!

At Vinegar Hill, o'er the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,
And the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon a rack.

God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy
And open Heaven to all your men,
The cause that called you may call tomorrow
In another fight for the Green again.

Song Details

Boolavogue Catholic Church — Boolavogue Catholic Church - Wexford

✍️ Lyricist: Patrick Joseph McCall (1861-1919) - Irish songwriter and poet

🎶 Composer: Arthur Warren Darley (1873–1929) - Irish fiddle player, composer, music teacher and examiner

📅 Date: 1898

📝 Song Brief: The song was written as a commemoration to the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It relates the events leading up to the battle where the local parish priest Father John Murphy rallied his parishioners leading them into battle on May 26th, 1798. On June 21st Father Murphy and the rebel leaders were killed but the battle continued on for up to five years... read more at Wikipedia.

📖 Glossary:

Boolavogue — A village 12 kilometres northeast of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, Ireland, located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns.
Yeomen — Members of locally raised militia units in Ireland and Britain, often drawn from the farming and middle classes, active particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Yeos — A shortened form of Yeomen, referring to the same militia forces.
hirelings — Mercenaries or paid fighters — people who serve only for wages rather than loyalty or cause.

🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song

👥 Covers: The Dubliners, Michael Londra, Irish Tenors, The Clancy Brothers, Anthony Kearns.

🎤 Featured Artists: The High Kings

💿 Album: Memory Lane
Released: 2010
Country: Ireland
Format: CD
Label: Universal Music Ireland

You may also like: (1798 Rebellion Theme)

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Kelly The Boy From Killane - A rousing tribute to John Kelly of Killanne, a leader in the Wexford Rising, portraying him as a courageous figure who inspired local rebels.
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