High King of Ireland (Original Song)

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High King of Ireland (Original Song)

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This song is loosely based on the *Battle of Clontarf* on April 23rd, 1014, at Clontarf, near Dublin. The conflict was between High King Brian Boru and a coalition of Viking warriors and Irish rivals, including the Norse of Dublin and the King of Leinster. Brian’s forces won a hard-fought victory, crushing Viking power in Ireland, but he was killed in his tent by fleeing Norsemen. The battle ended Viking expansion but did not expel them entirely, leading instead to their gradual integration into Irish society.

*Lyrics:*
In the high old days of Ireland
A battle did commence
The men were brave and heroes true
They fought for King Boru

The war was long and weary
The casualties were high
No man unscathed nor will ever be
the same as when he said goodbye

So go on my dear brothers
Go on unto the fray
Fight for hearth and home
Until your dying day

Oh Grá Mo Chroí dear Ireland
Our hearts shall never stray
Be brave unto the breach my friends
We’ll take back Dublin Bay

The enemy soon was spotted
In a field across the bay
Their spears shown bright in the pale moonlight
We fight at the Skreigh O’ Day

First came the bloody quarrel
As befits a righteous Scott
Both Domnall mac Eimin and Plait the Brave
Did die on the field that day

The horn of High King Brian
It pierced the light of day
And the King’s own son he led the charge
He killed a hundred men in the affray

In the loud and bloody battle
Our shields clasped hand in hand
No light shined through only bitter croons
We must fight for Ireland

So go on my dear brothers
Go on unto the fray
Fight for hearth and home
Until your dying day

Oh Grá Mo Chroí dear Ireland
Our hearts shall never stray
Be brave unto the breach my friends
We’ll take back Dublin Bay

The enemy soon was routed
And the Irish had won the day
But King and prince no more did live
A solemn cheer for the victors this day

So died the King of Erin
And many sons died in hand
Now we await the day to see across the bay
the High King of Ireland

So go on my dear brothers
Go on unto the fray
Fight for hearth and home
Until your dying day

Oh Grá Mo Chroí dear Ireland
Our hearts shall never stray
Be brave unto the breach my friends
We’ll take back Dublin Bay

Be brave unto the breach my friends
We’ve fought o’er Dublin Bay