OLD  CLONOE

( For IRA  volunteers, Kevin Barry O’Donnell, Sean O’Farrell, Peter Clancy, and Patrick Vincent,

ambushed and murdered by the British Army at Clonoe, near Coalisland, February 16 1992.)

By

SEAMUS  ROBINSON  © 2000

 

Soft blows the breeze in old Clonoe,

Mid trembling leaves songbirds sing low;                                                                                                           

And deep blood-red wild roses grow,

For my true love in old Clonoe.

 

( chorus )

 

Ah Love, sweet Love, my heart is sore –

Oh will I see you nevermore ?

But I’ll be true, come weal or woe –

I’ll love you still, in old Clonoe.

 

Remember how we used to play,

In summer fields the livelong day;

And how each Sunday we would go,

To pledge our love in old Clonoe.

 

( repeat chorus )

 

‘Tis well I mind that awful day,

When Freedom called you to the fray;

You made your stand ‘gainst Ireland’s foe,

Alas to fall in old Clonoe.                                                                                                                               

( chorus twice )