Connacht Tribune, 7th May, 1910 p.5
Photo: A McCarron Wikimedia Commons
(Air: “Ireland, Boys, Hurrah!”)
On through Kinvara town they came,
Those men so loyal and brave,
Each a trusty Irishman;
No traitor, coward or knave –
To drive the grazier’s cattle back
To Cloughalalard that day,
From good old Duras, brave old Duras,
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
Duras, boys, hurrah! Duras, boys, hurrah!
Here’s to Duras! Brave old Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Like men of grit they bonded all
To join the cattle-drives;
For all there loved their homes as dear,
Or dearer than their lives.
They loved their country’s glory, too,
And the light of freedom’s day,
In fond old Duras! Brave old Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
We’ve heard their praises oft before;
Yes, even from their foes.
We know that nought can check them now,
When once they’ve boldly rose.
Then grazier, grabber, tyrant all,
Make haste to clear away
From grand old Duras! Brave old Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
A lovely sea-bound Duras,
And her land so fair and green,
Where peaceful hamlets one time rose
The graziers’ cows are seen.
Dismantled homes bear witness there
Of black eviction’s sway,
In brave old Duras! Lovely Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
The West’s awake, the West’s awake,
Thank God that news is true,
From North to South, from East to West
And with a vengeance to.
Oh! with a vengeance in their hearts
For wrongs of many a day,
In brave old Duras! Wronged old Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
Those men from Geeha, north and south,
Knockaculleen and Newtown,
From Traught, from Cluish and Cregboy,
All would their lives lay down,
To keep the children of their hearts
From sailing far away,
From dear old Duras, brave old Duras!
Duras, boys, hurrah!
Chorus
Then here’s to Duras once again,
Here’s to her o’er and o’er.
May Heaven protect her in her need
And its gifts upon her pour.
Long may her gallant children live
In freedom’s glorious ray.
In brave old Duras! whipping Duras!
Duras, boys, hurray!
Chorus
BRIDGET BRUEN, KINVARA
The Burren and Beyond 