Friday, March 14, 2014

Erin Go Bragh





These two St. Patrick's Day greeting postcards both have the phrase Erin go Bragh. Erin go Bragh is the anglicisation of an Irish language phrase, Éirinn go Brách, and is used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever."  (Wikipedia)

A Scottish song from the 19th century entitled Erin-go-Bragh tells the story of a Highland Scot who is mistaken for an Irishman. Another version is an Irish rebel one, also called The Row in the Town. Here is that version of Erin Go Bragh as sung by the Wolfe Tones:




The Wolfe Tones - Erin Go Bragh 

I'll sing you a song of a row in the town,
When the green flag went up and the Crown flag came down,
'Twas the neatest and sweetest thing ever you saw,
And they played that great game they called Erin Go Bragh.

God bless gallant Pearse and his comrades who died
Tom Clark, MacDonagh, MacDiarmada, McBride,
And here's to James Connolly who gave one hurrah,
And faced the machine guns for Erin Go Bragh.

Now one of our leaders was down in Ring's end,
For the honour of Ireland to hold and defend,
He had no veteran soldiers but volunteers raw,
Playing sweet Mauser music for Erin Go Bragh.

Old Ceannt and his comrades like lions at bay,
From the South Dublin Union poured death and dismay,
But what was then often the entaylors men saw
All the dead karki soldiers on Erin Go Bragh.

A great foreign captain was raving that day,
Saying, "Give me one hour and I'll blow you away,"
But a big Mauser bullet got stuck in his jaw,
And he died of lead poisoning on Erin Go Bragh.

A glory to Dublin, and to her we renown,
In the long generations her fame will go down,
And our children will tell how their forefathers saw,
The red blaze of freedom in Erin Go Bragh.





4 comments:

  1. Yes! I love this phrase--Ireland Forever. Such fierce loyal folk. I adore these postcards, too. And the song is wonderful. Thank you for posting today--I thoroughly enjoyed every bit.

    Have a lovely day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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  2. I'm ready to dance and eat! Ireland Forever! Happy PFF!

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  3. I wonder if these two lasses are sisters? they look remarkably alike!

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  4. Attractive cards! Happy PFF as well as St Patrick's Day.

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