When he stepped up the narrow street
Smiling proud and young
Around the hemp, around his neck
The golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes
But sad and bright were they
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge of Tuam today

When he last stepped up that street
Shining steel in hand
Behind him marched in gray array
A stalwart earnest band
For Antrim town, for Antrim town
He lept into the fray
Now young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the bridge of Tuam today

See the host of fleet foot men
Dismayed with faces wan
From Verners house and fishers cut
Along the banks of 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 Tuam today


Lyrics submitted by hashashin

Roddy McCorley Lyrics as written by J Baird Traditional

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Roddy McCorley song meanings
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    Song Meaning

    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).

    hashashinon April 29, 2011   Link

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