"O'Donnell Abú" ( ga, Ó Domhnaill Abú) is a traditional Irish song. Its lyrics were written by a Fenian Michael Joseph McCann in 1843. It refers to the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

lord Red Hugh O'Donnell who ruled Tyrconnell in the late sixteenth century, first with the approval of the Crown authorities in Dublin and later in rebellion against them during Tyrone's Rebellion. The title refers to the

war cry of "Abú," "To victory," which followed a commander's name.

Style

Stylistically the song draws on the

romantic nationalism Romantic nationalism (also national romanticism, organic nationalism, identity nationalism) is the form of nationalism in which the state claims its political legitimacy as an organic consequence of the unity of those it governs. This includes ...

of the mid-nineteenth century, similar to those of McCann's contemporary Thomas Davis.

Lyrics

Loudly the note of the trumpet is sounding; Proudly 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 The O'Neill dynasty (Irish: ''Ó Néill'') are a lineage of Irish Gaelic origin, that held prominent positions and titles in Ireland and elsewhere. As kings of Cenél nEógain, they were historically the most prominent family of the Northern ...

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 Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * '' Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Iris ...

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 Clifford may refer to: People *Clifford (name), an English given name and surname, includes a list of people with that name *William Kingdon Clifford *Baron Clifford *Baron Clifford of Chudleigh *Baron de Clifford *Clifford baronets *Clifford fami ...

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 false

Saxon The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic * * * * peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...

feel Erin's avenging steel! Strike for your country! "O'Donnell Abú!" The song portrays the rallying cry for the O’Donnell clan, called to assemble at a location on the banks of the River Erne. The ''Bonnaught'' and '' Gallowglass'' were Irish and Scots mercenaries employed by O'Donnell to guard the mountain passes. They are now summoned to join the rest of O'Donnell's forces, who await the arrival of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and the Borderers who protect his lands.

Legacy

In the 1930s it was adopted as the anthem of the Irish Blueshirts. In the 1960s the song was recorded by the Irish folk group Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers. The song was chosen by Radio Éireann as the station ID signal in 1936, after a poll of listeners. It remains to be such to this day. Everyday it is played on RTÉ Radio 1 at 5:30AM. The song appears in the 1966 movie, The Fighting Prince of Donegal. The song music with new lyrics was used by the Christian Brothers from Ireland as the school rally of St. Joseph's College in Hong Kong. The song music with lyrics of Chong Gene Hang College in Hong Kong from 1971 was modified from

St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong St. Joseph's College also referred to by its acronym SJC is an elite Catholic all-boys secondary education institution run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Central Mid-Levels district, Hong Kong. It was established ...

. In 2000, the lyrics have translated into Chinese.

References

Bibliography

* Liam Ronayne. ''Donegal Highlands: Paintings and Stories from Northwest Donegal''. Dundurn, 1998.

External links