Legacy -- Celtic Traditional and Contemporary Music in Minnesota


Roddy McCorley
(Ethna Carberry, 1866-1902)
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Roddy McCorley was reputedly one of the heroes of the 1798 Rebellion. He was captured by the British and executed in the town of Toomebridge.
This song, first recorded by the Clancy Brothers in 1961 and later popularized by the Kingston Trio, was adapted from a 19th century poem about the incident.

Oh, see the host of fleet foot men who speed with faces wan
From farmstead and from fisher's cot 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 Toome today.

Oh, when he last stepped up that street, his shining pike 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.

Oh, up the narrow streets he steps, smiling, proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes both sad and bright are they
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

There was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his death on the bridge of Toome today
True to the last, true to the last, he treads the upward way
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

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