REDMOND O'HANLON

There was man lived in the north, a hero brave and bold,

He robbed the wealthy landlords of their silver and their gold.

He gave the money to the poor, to pay the rent and fee,

Redmond O Hanlon was a gallant raparee.

Chorus

Then Hurrah for Count O Hanlon, Redmond O Hanlon,

Hurrah for Count O Hanlon, the gallant raparee.

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 was a gallant raparee.

Chorus

T’was high upon Slieve Gullion slopes that he used to ply his trade,

And Squire Johnson of the Fews this handsome offer made,

He said ‘Ill give £400 to hand him form a tree,

But not a man in all the land would sell the raparee.

Chorus

They sent their soldiers after him to try and bring him back

O Hanlon only laughed at them upon the mountain track

And when the soldiers slept that night among the mountain gorse,

He stole their guns and rode away upon his noble horse.

Chorus

T’was back in 1681 when Count O Hanlon died,

And still among Slieve Gullion slopes, they speak of him with pride,

And anyone will tell you form Rathfriland to Forkhill

That in the silence of the night, you’ll hear him riding still

Chorus

Tommy Makem