Follow me up to Carlow

"Glenmalure is a valley in the Wicklow Mountains, south of Dublin. In 1580 Feach MacHugh O'Byrne fought and won against the English army, who were lead by Lord Grey de Wilton. It was a turning-point event, and part of a wider revolt that was initiated by the Fitzgeralds. The revolt ended in failure, but Grey's defeat was a significant victory. O'Byre's stronghold was at the eastern end of the glen and there are some ruins of it remaining on Ballincor Mountain in Wicklow."

thanks

You might also enjoy this song:

Rory O'More
Unknown

Do you ask why the beacon and the banner of war,
On the mountains of Ulster are seen from afar,
Oh this is the signal our rights to secure,
'Cause we trust in God and in Rory O'More.

For the merciless Scots with their creed and their swords,
With war in their bosoms and peace in their words,
Have sworn the bright light of our faith to obscure,
But we trust in God and in Rory O'More

On the green hills of Ulster our banner waves high
And the beacon of war blows a flame to the sky.
On the green hills of Ulster that is for sure,
We'll fight for Rory O'More

Through days and days of war and strife, of hunger and of woe,
We fought the bitter fight of life against the Saxon foe.
Our fairest hopes to burst our chains have died in vain regret,
But still the glorious truth remains - we are not conquered yet !

And if at last our colour should be torn from Erin's heart,
Her sons with shame and sorrow from the dear old isle will part.
But now the taunt and now the threat let the coward endure,
'Cause we will fight and we will die for Rory O'More.

Oh lives here the traitor who'd shrink from the strife,
To add to the length of a forfeited life.
His country, his kindred, his faith would abjure,
We'll strike for old Ireland and for Rory O'More!

I thought this link might be of interest: http://www.rootsweb.com/~fianna/history/ Check out '1641' for info on Rory O'More.

Thank you, I always like to understand at least some of what I'm singing. Do you know a place that has the tune for the latter song or who sings it?

My favourite version is by an East Coast Canadian band called Quagmyre. Their lead fiddle player and step dancer recently played with The Chieftans with his brother, another champion step dancer, at their concert in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can hear a sound sample here of Rory O'More: http://www.quagmyre.ca/music.html

I really liked it, I will have to hear the whole thing some time so that I can learn it

I think the CD is like, $10 Canadian...it's just a mini CD. I'm guessing you can order it online from the site.

Hmm...I may be wrong. It might be sold out.

Oh well, maybe I can do as I usually do and learn songs via the net. I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks for all your help.

I used to perform a lot of 'rebel' songs in folk cafes. I'd be curious as to what your songlist is. It has been a long time since I've sung live.