REDMOND O'HANLON
There was a man lived in the north, a hero brave and bold
Who robbed the wealthy landlords of their silver and their gold
He gave the money to the poor, to pay their rent and fee
For Count Redmond O'Hanlon was a gallant rapparee
Chorus:
Then hurrah for Count O'Hanlon
Redmond O'Hanlon
Hurrah for Count O'Hanlon
The gallant rapparee
He had a noble big, black horse that was his joy and pride
A brace of loaded pistols, he carried by his side
He roamed the hills and valleys with a spirit wild and free
Count Redmond O'Hanlon, the gallant rapparee
Chorus
'Twas high upon Slieve Gullion that he used to ply his trade
And Squire Johnson from the fews, this handsome offer made
He said "I'll give four hundred pounds to hang him from a tree"
But, not a man in all the land would sell the rapparee
Chorus
They sent the soldiers after him to try and bring him back
O'Hanlon only laughed at them upon the mountain track
And while the soldiers slept that night among the mountain gorse
He stole their guns and rode away upon his noble horse
Chorus
'Twas back in 1681 that Count O'Hanlon died
And still along Slieve Gullion's slopes, they speak of him with pride
And anyone will tell you from Rathfriland to Forkhill
That in the silence of the night, you'll hear him riding still
Chorus
- Words and music by Tommy Makem
Feb., 1964