The Yeos were in Dunshaughlin,
And the Hessians in Dunreagh,
And spread thro fair Moynalty
Were the Fencibles of Reagh,
While Rodens godless troopers ranged
From Skreen to Mullachoo,
When hammered were the pikeheads
First by Páid ODonoghue.
2. Young Páid, he was as brave a boy
As ever hammer swung,
And the finest hurler that youd ever find
The lads of Meath among;
And when the wrestling match was oer
No man could boast he threw
The dark-haired smith of Curroghá,
Young Páid ODonoghue.
3. So Pádraig lived a happy life
And gaily sang each day
Beside his ringing anvil
Some sweet old Irish lay,
Or roamed light-heartedly at eve
Thro the woods of lone Kilbrue,
With her whod given her pure hearts love
To Páid ODonoghue.
4. But Ninety-Eights dark season came
And Irish hearts were sore;
The pitch-cap and triangle
The patient folk outwore;
The blacksmith thought of Ireland
And found hed work to do:
"Ill forge some steel for freedom,"
Said Páid ODonoghue.
5. Tho the Yeos were in Dunshaughlin
And the Hessians in Dunreagh,
Tho spread thro fair Moynalty
Were the Fencibles of Reagh;
Tho Rodens godless troopers ranged
From Skreen to Mullachoo,
The pike-heads keen were hammered out
By Páid ODonoghue.
6. And so in Curroghá each night
Was heard the anvils ring,
While scouting on the roadways
Were Hugh and Phelim King,
With Gillics Mat, and Duffys Pat,
And Mickey Gilsenan, too,
While in the forge for Ireland
Worked young Páid ODonoghue.
7. But a traitor crept amongst them,
And the secret soon was sold
To the captain of the Yeomen
For the ready Saxon gold;
And a troop burst out one evening
From the woods of dark Kilbrue,
And soon a rebel prisoner bound
Was Páid ODonoghue.
8. Now Pádraig Óg pray fervently,
Your earthly course has run;
The captain he has sworn
Youll not see the morrows sun.
The muskets they are ready,
And each yeomans aim is true;
Death stands beside thy shoulder,
Young Páid ODonoghue.
| 9. "Down on your knees, you rebel dog,"
The yeoman captain roared,
As high above his helmets crest
He waved his gleaming sword.
"Down on your knees to meet you doom,
Such is the rebels due;"
But straight as pike shaft fore him
Stood bold Páid ODonoghue.
10. And there upon the roadway
Where in childhood he had played,
Before the cruel yeoman
He stood quite undismayed
"I kneel but to my God above,
I neer shall bow to you;
You can shoot me as Im standing,"
Said Páid ODonoghue.
11. The captain gazed in wonder,
Then lowered his keen edged blade,
"A rebel bold as this," he said
"tis fitting to degrade.
Here men!" he cried, "unbind him,
My charger needs a shoe;
The King shall have a workman
In this Páid ODonoghue."
12. Now to the forge young Páid has gone,
The yeomen guard the door,
And soon the ponderous bellows
Is heard to snort and roar;
The captain stands with reins in hand
While Pádraig fits the shoe,
And when tis on full short the shrift
Hell give ODonoghue.
13. The last strong nail is firmly clenched,
The captains horse is shod!
Now rebel bold thine hour hath come,
Prepare to meet thy God!
But why holds he the horses hoof
Theres no more work to do?
Why clenches he his hammer so,
Young Páid ODonoghue?
14. A leap! a roar! a smothered groan!
The captain drops the rein,
And sinks to earth with hammer-head
Sunk deeply in his brain;
And lightly in the saddle
Fast racing towards Kilbrue
Upon the captains charger
Sits Páid ODonoghue.
15. A volley from the pistols,
A rush of horses feet
Hes gone! and none can capture
The captains charger fleet;
And on the night wind backwards
Comes a mocking loud "Halloo!"
That tells the yeomen they have lost
Young Páid ODonoghue.
16. Young Páid fought at Tara,
You know the nations tale;
Though borne down in that struggle,
Not hopeless is the Gael,
For still in Meaths fair county,
There are brave lads not a few
Who would follow in the footsteps
Of bold Páid ODonoghue.
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