From Songs of Erinn by McCall, 1899.
(It is a tradition that this air (“Follow me up to Carlow”) was first performed by the pipers of Feagh MacHugh as he marched to attack Carlow after his victory over Lord Deputy Grey at Glenmalure. MacCahir Ogue was Brian MacCahir Cavanagh, whom Fitzwilliam had driven out of his possessions.)
Lift, MacCahir Ogue, your face,
Brooding o’er the old disgrace,
That black Fitzwilliam stormed your place,
And drove you to the fern!
Grey said victory was sure –
Soon The Firebrand he’d secure;
Until he met at Glenmalure,
Feagh MacHugh O’Byrne!
(Chorus)
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare!
Feagh will do what Feagh will dare –
Now, Fitzwilliam, have a care –
Fallen is your star, low!
Up with halbert, out with sword!
On we go; for, by the Lord!
Feagh MacHugh has given the word –
Follow me up to Carlow!
See the swords of Glen Imayle
Flashing o’er the English Pale!
See all the children of the Gael
Beneath O’Byrne’s banners!
Rooster of a fighting stock,
Would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock?
Fly up, and teach him manners!
(Chorus)
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare!
Feagh will do what Feagh will dare –
Now, Fitzwilliam, have a care –
Fallen is your star, low!
Up with halbert, out with sword!
On we go; for, by the Lord!
Feagh MacHugh has given the word –
Follow me up to Carlow!
From Tassagart to Clonmore,
Flows a stream of Saxon gore!
Och, great is Rory Ogue O’More
At sending loons to Hades!
White is sick, and Lane is fled!
Now for black Fitzwilliam’s head –
We’ll send it over dripping red
To ‘Liza and her ladies!
(Chorus)
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare!
Feagh will do what Feagh will dare –
Now, Fitzwilliam, have a care –
Fallen is your star, low!
Up with halbert, out with sword!
On we go; for, by the Lord!
Feagh MacHugh has given the word –
Follow me up to Carlow!