Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding,
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale,
Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding,
To join the thick squadrons on Saimear's green vale!
On, every mountaineer, strangers to flight or fear,
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh,
Bonnaught and Gallowglass, throng from each mountain pass,
Onward for Erin, "O'Donnell Abú!"
Princely O'Neill, to our aid is advancing,
With many a chieftain and warrior clan,
A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing,
Neath the borderers brave from the banks of the Bann!
Many the heart shall quail under its coat of mail,
Deeply the merciless foeman shall rue,
When on his ears shall ring, bornе on the breeze's wing,
Tyrconnell's drеad war-cry, "O'Donnell Abú!"
Wildly o'er Desmond the war-wolf is howling,
Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain,
The fox in the streets of the city is prowling,
And all who would conquer them are banished and slain!
Grasp every stalwart hand hackbut and battle brand,
Pay them all back the deep debt so long due,
Norris and Clifford well clan to Tyrconnell tell,
Onward to glory, "O'Donnell Abú!"
Sacred the cause that clan Connell's defending,
The altars we kneel at the homes of our sires,
Ruthless the ruin the foe is extending,
Midnight is red with the plunderer's fires.
On with O'Donnell then, fight the good fight again,
Sons of Tyrconnell are valiant and true,
Make the proud Saxon feel Erin's avenging steel,
Strike for your country, "O'Donnell Abú!".