words
The Ballad of Paud O'Donoghue
by Patrick Archer
When the Yeos were in Dunshaughlin
And the Hessians in Drumree,
And spread through fair Moynalty's plain
Were the Fencibles of Reagh.
When Roden's God-less troupers reigned
From Skryne to Mullacroo
And hammered were the pike heads first
by Paud O'Donoghue.
Young Paud he was as brave a boy
As ever hammer swung,
And the finest hurdler that you'd find
In the lads of Meath among.
And when the wrestling match was o'er
No man could boast he threw
The black-haired smith of Curraha,
Young Paud O'Donoghue
But ninety-eight's dark season came
And Irish hearts were sore,
The pitcheap and the triangle
The patient folk outwore.
Young Paud, he thought of Ireland,
And says, there's work to do.
We'll forge some steel for freedom,
Says Paud O'Donoghue.
And at Curraha each night
You'd hear his anvil ring
While scouting on the roadside
Where Hugh and Phelim King,
With Duffy's Matt and Mickey's Pat
And Hughie Gilsenan too,
While in the forge for Ireland worked
Young Paud O'Donoghue.
But a traitor crept amongst them
And the secret soon was sold
To the captain of the yeomen
For his ready Saxon gold.
And a troop rushed out one evening
From the woods of Lone Kilbrue
And soon a rebel prisoner bound
Was Paud O'Donoghue.
"Don on your knees, you rebel dog,"
The yeoman captain roared,
And high above his silver crest
He waved his gleaming sword.
"Down on your knees to meet your doom,
Such is the rebel's due,"
But straight as pikestaff 'fore him stood
Young Paud O'Donoghue.
And there upon the roadside
In childhood he had played
Before the cruel yeoman
He stood quite undismayed.
"I kneel but to my God above,
I ne'er shall bow to you.
You can shoot me as I'm standing,"
Said Paud O'Donoghue.
The captain gazed in wonder,
Then lowered his keen-edged blade.
"A rebel bold is this," he said,
"He's fitting to degrade."
"Here men, unbind him,
My charger needs a shoe,
The King shall have a workman
In this Paud O'Donoghue."
Now to the forge young Paud has gone,
The yeomen guard the door
And soon the angry bellows
Is heard to snort and roar.
The captain stands with reins in hands
While Padraie fits the shoe.
And when 'tis on it's short the shrift
He'll give bold Donoghue.
The last strong nail is firmly clinched,
The captain's horse is shod.
Now rebel bold thine hour has come;
Prepare to meet they God.
But why holds he the horse's hoof?
There's no more work to do.
Why clenches he the hammer so,
Young Paud O'Donoghue.
A volley from the muskets;
A rush of horses feet;
He's gone and noon can capture
The captain's charger fleet.
And in the night winds backward
Comes a mocking halloo!
Which tells the Yeomen they have lost
Young Paud O'Donoghue.
And still in Meath's fair county
There are brave lads, not a few
Who would follow in the footsteps
Of Paud O'Donoghue.
