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Roddy McCorley Lyrics
When he stepped up the narrow street
Smiling and proud and young
Around the hemp around his neck
The golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes
Both sad and bright were they
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
When he last stepped up that street
His shining steel in hand
Behind him marched in grim array
A stalwart earnest band
For Antrim town! for Antrim town!
He led them to the fray
Now young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
See the hosts of fleetfoot men
Who speed with faces wan
From farmstead house and fisher's cot
Along the banks of the Bann
They come with vengeance in their eyes
Too late, too late are they
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
Smiling and proud and young
Around the hemp around his neck
The golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes
Both sad and bright were they
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
His shining steel in hand
Behind him marched in grim array
A stalwart earnest band
For Antrim town! for Antrim town!
He led them to the fray
Now young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
Who speed with faces wan
From farmstead house and fisher's cot
Along the banks of the Bann
They come with vengeance in their eyes
Too late, too late are they
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome today
Song Info
Submitted by
hashashin On Apr 26, 2011
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Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Part of a ballad about Roddy McCorley, a United Irishman and a participant in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, who was executed by the British on 28 February 1800 in the town of Toomebridge "near the bridge of Toome."
The ballad was written at the time of the 1898 commemorations for the 1798 Rebellion by Anna Johnston who used the pen name Ethna Carbery (1866—1902).